70 IELTS Speaking Samples Part 2 Forecast 9 - 12 PDF

IELTS SPEAKING SAMPLES
PART 2 TOPIC FORECAST

FROM SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
70 TOPICS ALL COVERED

Contents
1. Describe a couple you know who have a happy marriage ......................................................................................3
2. Describe a helpful person at work or at school .......................................................................................................4
3. Describe a new friend youve made recently ..........................................................................................................5
4. Describe a polite person you met ...........................................................................................................................6
5. Describe a family member who has had an important influence on you ...............................................................7
6. Describe an invention that changed peoples lives .................................................................................................8
7. Describe your favorite piece of clothing..................................................................................................................9
8. Describe a book that you would like to read again ...............................................................................................10
9. Describe a city or town you have been to .............................................................................................................11
10. Describe a place you visited ..............................................................................................................................12
11. Describe a caf you like or dislike .....................................................................................................................13
12. Describe a lesson that you enjoyed ..................................................................................................................14
13. Describe a leisure activity near or on the sea ...................................................................................................15
14. Describe a TV program you enjoy .....................................................................................................................16
15. Describe a service from a company or shop .....................................................................................................17
16. Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone ..........................................................................18
17. Describe a change in your life ...........................................................................................................................19
18. Describe a time when you worked in a team ....................................................................................................20
19. Describe a piece of good news you heard ........................................................................................................21
20. Describe a trip you took by bike........................................................................................................................22
21. Describe a decision that you disagreed with ....................................................................................................23
22. Describe an enjoyable experience you had in the countryside ........................................................................24
23. Describe a type of weather you like ..................................................................................................................25
24. Describe an interesting talk or speech you heard .............................................................................................27
25. Describe an experience when you spent time with a child ..............................................................................28
26. Describe a piece of artwork that you have seen before ...................................................................................29
27. Describe a useful website that you often visit ..................................................................................................30
28. Describe one of your best friends .....................................................................................................................31
29. Describe a street you know well .......................................................................................................................32
30. Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal ......................................................................................33
31. Describe a famous person that you are interested in .......................................................................................35
32. Describe an interesting neighbor you know .....................................................................................................36
33. Describe a family member that made you proud .............................................................................................37
34. Describe two people from the same family ......................................................................................................38
35. Describe an important plant in your country ....................................................................................................39
36. Describe a foreign food you would like to try ...................................................................................................40
37. Describe a crowded place .................................................................................................................................41
38. Describe a popular place ...................................................................................................................................42
39. Describe a newly-opened shop .........................................................................................................................43
40. Describe a place you want to work ..................................................................................................................44
41. Describe a time you arrived early .....................................................................................................................45
42. Describe an interesting event ...........................................................................................................................46
43. Describe a plan ..................................................................................................................................................47
44. Describe a special trip in the near future ..........................................................................................................48
45. Describe a kind of music or a song ....................................................................................................................50
46. Describe a time when you were not allowed to use your cellphone ................................................................51
47. Describe a TV series you enjoy watching ..........................................................................................................52
48. Describe an interesting advertisement .............................................................................................................53
49. Describe someone you admire who is much older than you ............................................................................54
50. Describe a person who has apologized to you ..................................................................................................55
51. Describe a dinner you enjoyed with your friends .............................................................................................56
52. Describe a time when you had to work hard to achieve a goal ........................................................................57
53. Describe a holiday or vacation you have been on ............................................................................................58
54. Describe a happy family event that you remember well ..................................................................................59
55. Describe a long journey you traveled by car .....................................................................................................60
56. Describe a short trip that was special to you ....................................................................................................61
57. Describe an environmental law ........................................................................................................................62
58. Describe a recent happy event .........................................................................................................................63
59. Describe a long walk you had ............................................................................................................................64
60. Describe a situation when someone made noise .............................................................................................65
61. Describe a difficult choice that you made .........................................................................................................66
62. Describe what you would do if you were given a day off .................................................................................67
63. Describe an ideal house ....................................................................................................................................68
64. Describe a book you liked to read in your childhood ........................................................................................69
65. Describe a success in your life ...........................................................................................................................70
66. Describe a time when you were looking at the sky ..........................................................................................71
67. Describe an article you read about healthy life ................................................................................................72
68. Describe a new skill you would like to learn .....................................................................................................73
69. Describe one activity stopped by the weather .................................................................................................74
70. Describe a person who gave a clever solution to a problem ............................................................................75
1. Describe a couple you know who have a happy marriage
Describe a couple you know who have a happy marriage
You should say:
Who they are
How you know them
What they usually do together
And how you feel about their marriage.
Sample
Well, I would like to talk about my own parents whose marriage is undoubtedly a happy one. They have
been married for 30 years now and are the perfect couple in my eyes.
Well, my mother and father are now in their 60s and they are still really busy with their nine to five jobs in a
government office, but I think that both of them are going to retire later this year. During 30 years of
marriage, my parents have been through thick and thin together but have never lost their love for each
other. My parents usually just show their affection simply by always being honest with each other and
sharing their true feelings. Their mutual understanding for each other is so profound that sometimes it only
takes one look to realise what the other is thinking.
Of course they still have minor tiffs every now and then, you know, things like who will have to pick up the
kids or who gets the TV remote. However, my dad is always the first one to give in and turn to comfort my
mother. I think that little action is actually the key to my parents long lasting relationship.
To me, mom and dad are a perfect match and I admire their love for each other so much. Hopefully, in the
future, I will have a partner that cares for me as much as my parents care for each other.
Vocabulary highlights:
1. A nine to five job: Cng vic bnh thng

2. Through thick and thin: Vt qua sng gi
3. A tiff: C~i v~
4. A long lasting relationship: Mi quan h d{i l}u
5. A perfect match: Cp i ho{n ho
3 Describe a couple you know who have a happy marriage | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
2. Describe a helpful person at work or at school
Describe a helpful person at work or school
You should say:
Who it was
What this person did
How this person helped

And explain how you felt after this person helped you.
Sample
I would like to describe one of my teachers who taught me at high school. She had a great influence on me
and was the person who helped me succeed in my university entrance examination. Her name is Linh and
she taught me English for 3 years of high school and was also my form teacher. She was in her late 40s
then but looked much younger than her age.
I was really influenced by the way she taught us in class. Her thoroughness in teaching inspired me to study
English, even though I had not been interested in it before. We never felt bored in her classes, she always
told us interesting stories about British and American culture and people, and also organized some games
so that we could learn new vocabulary and grammar effortlessly.
I remember that during the three months before the university entrance exam, which was the most
important exam of my life, she had delivered some free classes for the students who werent quite up to
standard, including myself. She patiently guided us through difficult questions and provided many useful
tips to help deal with the test. Thanks to her effective teaching method and great dedication, I was able to
pass the university entrance exam with almost a perfect score in English.
Although I have graduated from high school and now study in Hanoi, I often visit her on the holidays and
tell her about my daily life in the big city and shes always available to give me some advice about any
problems I have. I am forever grateful to have Mrs. Linh in my life.
1. To have a great influence on someone: C t|c ng ln n ai

2. In ones late 40s: tui gn 50
3. Up to standard: t chun
4. Effective teaching method: Phng ph|p ging dy hiu qu
5. Great dedication: S cng hin ln
4 Describe a helpful person at work or at school | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

3. Describe a new friend youve made recently
Describe a new friend you`ve made recently
You should say:
Who the person is

What kind of person he/she is
How you met this person
And explain why you made friends with him/her
Sample
I am going to talk about Mrs. Kim who is a lovely lady that I recently befriended.
I started college life 3 months ago and on my first day of school I was unable to navigate my way to my new
university where I was studying. Google Maps wasnt as helpful as I thought it would be and I couldnt
figure out the way by asking the locals either. So, after many hours of wandering around, I finally resorted
to asking a lady who was selling noodles from a food cart near where I was standing. I asked the lady if she
knew the way to the HCMC University of Education, and she just smiled and pointed at the large, five-story
building across the road. Turns out I was there all along! So, after thanking the lady, we had a little chat and
I found out she also came from Ninh Thuan, which is my hometown! We immediately became good friends
and now her food cart has become my favorite lunch spot whenever Im at university.
So I guess the main reason that Mrs. Kim and I have become good friends is basically because I think shes a
really sweet lady. As Ive gotten to know her better Ive realized that shes had quite a tough life, yet she
has managed to maintain a sweet and gentle personality that many other women who have been through
struggles like her would have lost by now. I guess the other reason we get on so well is because we share
the same hometown, and I tend to get on well with people from my hometown. Sometimes I think the best
friendships are made so unexpectedly.
1. Befriend someone: L{m bn vi ai

2. Navigate my way to: Tm ng n }u
3. To wander around: i lang thang
4. Resort to something/do-ing something: Phi dng n/l{m n iu g
5. Ones favourite lunch spot: a im n tra yu thch
6. A tough life: Cuc sng c cc
5 Describe a new friend youve made recently | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

4. Describe a polite person you met
Describe a polite person you met
You should say:
Who the person is
How you know the person
What the person looks like

And explain why you think the person is polite.
Sample
Well, the person Id like to talk to you about is a very good friend of mine, Mai. She must be one of the
nicest and most polite individuals I know. Weve basically known each other since forever because we were
in the same class from high school through to college. She is like my partner in crime and we can share
everything together from schoolwork to our love lives.
You know, the first time I met her she left a deep impression on me because on the first day of school I got
lost while trying to find my classroom and she really helped me out. Surprisingly, we were also arranged by
the teacher to be desk-mates.
And the reason why I think shes so polite is simply because she has really good manners. She abuses the
word thank you even on the slightest occasion. For instance, Ive noticed that whenever we eat at a
restaurant, she will thank the waiters whenever they bring a dish to the table. And another example would
be that every time she gets off a bus, she will always say thank you to the driver, which a lot of people
probably think isnt necessary, but Im sure the waiters and bus drivers really appreciate it. Finally,
whenever our classmates ask her to help them with difficult homework, she never complains or shows any
hesitation. And due to this, she always maintains a good reputation thanks to her politeness.
1. Ones partner in crime: Bn rt th}n

2. Leave a deep impression on someone: li n tng mnh n ai
3. Have good manners: Bit iu
4. Hesitation: S lng l
5. Maintain a good reputation: Gi c danh ting tt
6 Describe a polite person you met | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

5. Describe a family member who has had an important influence on you
Describe a family member who has had an important influence on you
You should say:
Who the person is;
What kind of person he or she is;
What this person has done to influence you;

And explain why you think this person is important to you.
Sample
I am going to talk about my mother who has played an essential role in my life. She is my guardian, my
friend and my role model.
My mother is in her forties now, but she still maintains a youthful look. In terms of personality, she is an
extremely compassionate and kind-hearted person who always takes care of her children. She really is a
mother and a friend to me as she always gives me valuable advice and is willing to stand by me through all
the ups and downs of my life. Although sometimes she drives me crazy due to her being a perfectionist, I
still hold so much pride and respect for her.
I am also influenced by her strong-will. Ever since she was young, she had to learn to be independent as my
grandparents were constantly on the go. She had to take care of almost everything: her younger brother,
household chores and herself. Such challenges shaped her into the strong person that she is now.
Her determination, as well as her perseverance, are really something for us to look up to. And I keep
reminding myself every day to be as strong as my mother, a real-life wonder woman.
1. Role modole: Hnh mu

2. Maintain a youthful look: Gi c b ngo{i tr trung
3. The ups and downs: Thng trm
4. Drive someone crazy: L{m cho ai ph|t in
5. Strong-will: ch mnh m
6. On the go: Rt bn rn
7 Describe a family member who has had an important influence on you | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
6. Describe an invention that changed peoples lives
Describe an invention that changed peoples lives
You should say:
What it was
Who invented it
When it was invented

And explain how it changed peoples lives
Sample
I would like to talk about the telephone which, in my opinion, is one of the most revolutionary creations
that has changed our lives.
As far as I know, Alexander Graham Bell was the father of this terrific device and he invented it in the last
century through a lot of trial and error.
It is no exaggeration to say that human life has completely changed since the first telephone was devised.
A few centuries ago people could only communicate long distances through writing letters, which could
take ages to be delivered. And in the case of emergencies or confidential information, writing letters really
wasnt an effective way of communicating.
So, one of the main reasons that I believe that the telephone has changed peoples lives is simply by making
communication between people so much faster, easier and more convenient than ever before. These days
when you need to get in contact with somebody, all you need to do is pick up your phone, dial a few
numbers and wait for them to answer. And if they dont answer, then you can usually just leave a voice
message for them to let them know what it is you wanted to tell them.
Furthermore, I believe that communication is at the core of social development, and I think that the advent
of the telephone has made a great contribution to this area of life.
So, whether the information is urgent, confidential, or even down right unnecessary, I think that the
telephone has made a massive difference to peoples lives and our societies as well.
1. A revlutionary creation: S ph|t minh mang tnh c|ch mng

2. Trial and error: Rt nhiu ln th nghim v{ tht bi
3. It is no exaggeration to say that: |m ch iu g l{ s tht, khng ni qu| ln
4. Confidential information: Thng tin tuyt mt
5. Get in contact with someone: Lin lc vi ai
6. Make a great contribution to something: Cng hin ln cho c|i g
8 Describe an invention that changed peoples lives | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

7. Describe your favorite piece of clothing
Describe your favorite piece of clothing
You should say:
Where you got it
When you got it
How often you wear it

And explain why it is your favorite piece of clothing.
Sample
Well, I would like to tell you about a pair of ripped jeans that are my favorite item among all the things I
have in my wardrobe.
You know, I bought them for an unbelievably cheap price a long time ago in a second-hand clothing store.
At that point, ripped jeans were really popular and everybody in my school was keen on them. So,
whenever I put these jeans on, I felt really stylish and thought I really stood out from the crowd. After a
while though, trends started to change, but I refused to abandon my jeans. I wore them almost
everywhere, from home to school and only changed them for formal events such as a ceremony or a
wedding. Sometimes I even slept in my jeans because they were so comfortable.
Actually, it is quite easy to understand why I fancy these jeans so much. Firstly, they instantly create a stylish
and fashionable look for the wearer. Secondly, jeans are easy to mix and match and I can wear them with
heaps of different shirts without worrying about looking ridiculous in other peoples eyes. And lastly, denim
is so tough that it cant be torn, so I can have them for a long time and save a great deal of money.
All in all, I love my jeans and cannot get through a day without them. I think such an item should be made
trendy again so that the youngsters nowadays can really get to know their awesomeness.
1. A second-hand clothing store: Ca h{ng qun |o se cn hen

2. Stand out from the crowd: Ni bt gia |m ng
3. Mix and match: D kt hp vi kh|c
4. Trendy: Xu hng
9 Describe your favorite piece of clothing | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

8. Describe a book that you would like to read again
Describe a book that you would like to read again
You should say:
What the book was about
Why you read it the first place
What you learned from this book
And explain why you would like to read it again.
Sample
Okay so I would like to tell you about the book called Harry Potter, which is a fantasy novel, written by the
British author J. K. Rowling. Its one that I can reread time and time again.
The book describes the life of a young wizard named Harry Potter and his two best friends, Ron and
Hermione. Harry has to struggle to kill the Dark wizard Lord Voldemort, whose aim is to become immortal
and destroy all those who stand in his way of ruling the world.
The reason why this book comes to mind is that it is a reminder of my childhood. It was a gift for my
birthday from my parents to reward my high score in an exam at school. Up until now, I can still remember
clearly how fascinated I was when I received it.
Thanks to this book, I realized that determination and effort play essential roles in achieving my goals. Since
then, I have always worked hard to overcome all obstacles and challenges in my life.
Harry Potter will always be on my to-read list for a number of reasons. Firstly, I have always been a great
admirer of science fiction books so I love the way that the author describes the whole magical world with
the magic school, Hogwarts, and the flying brooms. Secondly, reading this book not only helps me to relax
after a long day of work or study but also cheers me up whenever I am feeling blue.
1. Fantasy novel: Tiu thuyt gi tng

2. Time and time again: Lp i lp li
3. Come to mind: Xut hin trong u
4. A reminder of ones childhood: L{m ai nh li tui th
5. Overcome all obstacles: Vt qua mi r{o cn
6. Feeling blue: Cm thy bun ch|n mt mi
10 Describe a book that you would like to read again | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
9. Describe a city or town you have been to
Describe a city or town you have been to
You should say:
Where it is
When you visited it
What you did there

And explain why you like it
Sample
Id like to talk about Singapore, one of several cities I have visited and really enjoyed. I vacationed in this
wonderful city last summer with my sister, Min, and we stayed there for 5 days.
Singapore is a state-city located to the Southeast of Vietnam and it took us only 2 hours to fly there from
Hanoi.
When I arrived in Singapore, I was quite impressed by the way the city looked. The streets were incredibly
clean, I could walk around the city all day and come back home without any dirt on my shoes. During my
stay in Singapore, I did some shopping and visited some famous landmarks like the Merlion statue,
Singapore zoo and the botanical gardens.
For me, Singapore is well worth visiting for many reasons. Firstly, the public transport system in Singapore
is extremely reliable. People dont have to spend hours waiting for buses or trains, and the staff are very
friendly and helpful. Another thing that I miss about Singapore is its multi-cultural nature. During the 5 days
that I spent in Singapore, I bumped into people from many different countries. English is the first language
of this country so it was great to get the chance to practice my English-speaking skills with the local people
and also other tourists. Five days in Singapore passed by so fast that I wish I couldve stayed a bit longer.
1. A state-city: Th{nh ph quc gia

2. A famous landmark: a danh ni ting
3. A bontanical garden: Vn thc vt
4. Multi-cultural nature: Mi trng a vn ha
5. Bump into someone: Gp ai
11 Describe a city or town you have been to | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

10. Describe a place you visited
Describe a place you visited
You should say:
where it was (or is)
when you visited it
what it looked like

And explain why you visited it.
Sample
The fast pace of modern life in the city can be too much for an introvert like myself and I sometimes really
need some time to retire into my shell and have a little retreat. Fortunately, I found the perfect little place
called Secret garden which I am going to share with you now.
Secret garden is a garden themed coffee shop located on the rooftop of a building in the center of Hanoi.
The caf is well-known for its floral and botanical-inspired design, which gives you a sense of peace and
tranquility while being able to enjoy some cake and coffee at the same time.
I have become a frequent guest there and usually go on the weekend. My favorite activities in this coffee
shop are reading books while listening to relaxing instrumental music, having a warm cup of tea with
cookies or just simply sitting in the exterior garden and enjoying the view.
Despite being popular, the coffee shops still able to manage a quiet and soft atmosphere. The setting is
perfect with relaxing music, and the staff are really well-trained and cater to the guests needs quite well.
Also, other guests there are usually quite respectful and generally dont disturb other people by talking or
laughing too loudly.
Its rare to find a place like this in Hanoi and I always recommend it to my friends who need a break from
the busy city life.
1. Fast pace: Nhp nhanh

2. Introvert: Hng ni
3. Retire into my shell: Thu mnh
4. Bontanical-inspired design: Thit k c truyn cm hng t thc vt
5. Tranquility: Yn lng, bnh an
12 Describe a place you visited | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

11. Describe a caf you like or dislike
Describe a caf you like or dislike

You should say:
Where it was
When you went there
what you ate or drank
And explain why you liked or disliked the caf.
Sample
The fast pace of modern life in the city can be too much for an introvert like myself and I sometimes desire
some time to retire into my shell and take a little retreat. Fortunately, I found the perfect place called Secret
garden which I am going to share with you right now.
Secret garden is a garden themed coffee shop located on the rooftop of a building in the center of Hanoi.
The caf is well-known for its floral and botanical-inspired design, which gives you a sense of peace and
tranquility while enjoying some cake and coffee at the same time.
I have become a frequent guest there and usually go on the weekend. My favorite activities in this coffee
shop are reading books while listening to relaxing instrumental music, having a warm cup of tea with cookies
or simply just sitting in the exterior garden and enjoying the view.
Despite being popular, the coffee shops still able to manage a quiet and soft atmosphere. The setting is
perfect with relaxing music, and the staff are really well-trained and cater to the guests needs quite well.
Also, other guests there are usually really quite respectful and generally dont disturb other people by talking
or laughing too loudly.
Its rare to find a place like this in Hanoi and I always recommend it to my friends who need a break from the
busy city life.
13 Describe a caf you like or dislike | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

12. Describe a lesson that you enjoyed
Describe a lesson that you enjoyed

You should say:
When it was
What it was about
What happened
And explain why you liked it
Sample
Well, I would like to share with you about a really pleasant experience in an English class I had at my
university. During one of our grammar lessons, the regular teacher was sick so the school had to send in a
teacher to cover her place. And the substitute teacher, Thomas Hall, delivered an amazing lecture in English
about how he thinks we should all learn languages through watching films.
Throughout the two hours, he explained to us the process of learning a language and how films can serve as
an effective way to immerse yourself in a language. Basic elements like vocabulary and grammar can be easily
absorbed if we focus on dialog in a TV show, and so in the long run, our overall language skills can be
improved. This method helps us to learn any language effortlessly and in a short period of time.
At first, we were all skeptical about the ideas he introduced, however, after watching a short video to
practice and doing a trial test, we were all convinced that learning by watching movies was not hard at all and
we could apply this to enhance our performance at school.
I enjoyed this lesson so much because I find this method to be particularly effective for me. I always felt
unmotivated when learning by traditional methods and my results were never desirable. But when I tried
learning English using my favorite movies, you know what? My English got better and better and very soon I
was able to remember thousands of new words and write really complicated essays. Now, I can even proudly
say that I have mastered the English language.
1. Immerse oneself in something: m mnh v{o iu g

2. Skeptical: Ho{i nghi
3. Unmotivated: Khng c ng lc
14 Describe a lesson that you enjoyed | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

13. Describe a leisure activity near or on the sea
Describe a leisure activity near or on the sea
You should say:
What it is
What you should prepare
Why you have to prepare

And explain how you feel about it.
Sample
I would like to talk about one of my favourite activities on the beach, swimming. You know, I live in Hai
Phong, a coastal city with golden beaches and the nearest seashore is just fifteen minutes from my house.
So, in the summer, my friends and I often go there and swim in the cool water to avoid the hot weather.
Actually, swimming is a relatively easy sport. I learned how to swim when I was about 8 years old and it took
me only a week to get familiar with a number of swimming strokes, like breaststroke, backstroke and
butterfly. Before entering the water, I often warm up and stretch my muscles and joints to avoid any
injuries, then put on my swimsuit and jump right in.
I really enjoy swimming on the beach because of a few reasons. Firstly, unlike other water sports such as
diving or windsurfing, which require costly equipment, swimming costs nothing. Secondly, swimming is
extremely beneficial to our health. It provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of our muscles are used
during swimming. It also builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. Lastly, going
swimming is a good means of recreation as it allows me to unwind, alleviate stress and have a great time
with my friends.
Summer is coming so Ill definitely make a plan to visit the beach soon. I intend to go to Nha Trang beach as
its considered as one of the most magnificent beaches in the world.
1. A coastal city: Th{nh ph bin

2. Golden beaches: B~i bin c|t v{ng
3. Warm up and stretch my muscles and joints: Khi ng c th
4. All-over body workout: Hot ng to{n c th
5. Build endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness: Ph|t trin s do dai, sc mnh c bp v{
sc khe tim mch
15 Describe a leisure activity near or on the sea | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

14. Describe a TV program you enjoy
Describe a TV program you enjoy

You should say:
What it is
When you watch it
Who you watch it with
And explain why you like to watch it.
Sample
Well, I would like to talk about The Walking Dead, which is an American television drama series that I have
recently become crazy about.
As you might not know, The Walking Dead is the most popular TV show on air right now and everybody
across the globe watches it. It portrays the world after a zombie apocalypse, where society has crumbled
and there is no government to take care of the peoples welfare.
The show stars many talented and famous actors and actresses. Among them, I believe Andrew Lincoln, who
plays the leading role of a police officer, leaves the most significant impression on audiences and myslef,
mainly because of his outstanding acting skills and the devotion he put into every scene.
Interestingly enough, my favorite part about this show is the make-up of all the different zombies. You
know, all the characters are well-designed and have to go through an elaborate makeup process to achieve
extremely realistic looks on screen.
And the reason why I am a huge fan of The Walking Dead? Well, it is quite easy to explain. Ive held a great
interest in Zombie apocalypses ever since I was a kid and I even dreamt about living in one. Apart from that, I
think that this series has a very stimulating plot along with many unexpected twists, which raises great
excitement for the viewers.
I just simply cannot get enough of this show and I cant wait for the beginning of the next season.
1. On air: ang c ph|t sng
2. A zombie apocalypse: Thm ha x|c sng
3. Star many talented and famous actors and actresses: Nhiu din vin t{i nng ng vai chnh
4. Make-up: Trang im, ha trang
5. A very stimulating plot along with many unexpected twists: Ct truyn kch thch cng vi rt nhiu
tnh hung bt ng
16 Describe a TV program you enjoy | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

15. Describe a service from a company or shop
Describe a service from a company or shop

You should say
What the service was
When and where you received the service
Whom you were with
And explain how you feel about it
Sample
Hmn, this is indeed an interesting question. Well, regarding some excellent service that I received, I must say
that I was really impressed by a company called Traveloka, which provided me with a booking service for
flight tickets and a hotel reservation.
Last summer, my mother and I made up our mind to go on a trip to Taiwan. Previously, we would just simply
book a package tour from a travel agent and they would take care of all the expenses and itinerary for us.
However, this time both me and my mom wanted to do everything on our own, from booking the plane
tickets to choosing the hotel and planning the trip.
Thanks to a friends recommendation, I tried booking flight tickets online, from a website called
Traveloka.com. This website is a product of the Traveloka company, which aims to provide a user-friendly
platform for users to search and book flight tickets and hotel rooms.
At first I held a lot of doubt over this website since I had never bought plane tickets online before. However,
after browsing through the site for a while, I was quite impressed by the sites smartly designed layout and
easy-to-follow content, and furthermore, it only took a few minutes to find the plane tickets that I wanted.
Another good point to mention about the service was how quickly and convenient the payment was. They
offered a variety of payment methods, such as credit card, bank transfer or direct debit, which would suit
many different customers needs.
Thanks to Traveloka, I managed to book the plane tickets at a reasonable price and at lightning speed. Both
my mother and I were completely satisfied with the service that we received, and we gave the website a 5
star rating on the user review page. I would also recommend this site to other friends of mine.
1. Make up ones mind: quyt nh

2. User-friendly: d s dng
3. Hold a lot of doubt: C nhiu nghi hoc
4. At lightning speed: Nhanh nh chp
17 Describe a service from a company or shop | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

16. Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone
Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone
You should say
- who the person was
- where the conversation took place
- what you talked about
And explain why you found the conversation interesting.
Sample
I have to admit that Im not much of a social person I mean, I am quite shy and inhibited, so most of the
time I tend to avoid talking to strangers. But I do remember a time when I had to talk to a complete
stranger, and as I remember it was around 5 years ago, on my very first trip to Ho Chi Minh City. It was just
a short conversation but I can still remember it quite well.
I was a 20-year-old freshman back then, and I was unable to navigate my way to the HCMC University of
Education where I was about to start studying. Back then Google Maps wasnt as popular as it is
nowadays, so the only way I could figure out the way was by asking a local. So after hours of wandering
around, I finally resorted to asking a lady who was selling noodles at a food cart near where I was
standing. I asked the lady if she would be so kind to tell me the way to the HCMC University of Education
and she kindly replied by pointing to the big building across the road and saying its over there.
The university was being renovated back then, so I was unable to recognize it, but before I went off to
study I decided to sit down and order some noodles from the old lady and have a chat with her. It turns
out that she was also from Ninh Thuan, which is my hometown. So we ended up chatting for ages about
our lives and about how and why we had come to HCMC.
You know, I think I found this conversation so interesting simply because I found Mrs Kim to be such a nice
lady. As the conversation went on and I got to know her better I realized that she had had quite a tough
life, yet she had managed to maintain such a sweet and gentle personality that many other women who
have been through similar struggles to her would have lost by now.
18 Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
17. Describe a change in your life
Describe a change in your life.
You should say:
What the change was
When it happened
Why it happened
And explain how you have benefited from this change
Sample
I would like to talk about one of the greatest transformations in my life. I used to weigh around 65 kilos and
after about 6 months of continuous dieting and working out, I successfully lost 15 kilos.
When I was a teenager, I mainly subsisted on fast food such as fried chicken, hamburgers or crisps. And with
a number of high school exams I was often forced to stay up late and eat even more. As a result, I put on
weight rapidly and one day, when I stepped on a scale, it read 65 kilos, and I knew that I had to start my
weight- loss journey or I would become overweight.
After consulting my aunt, who worked as a nutritionist, I understood that losing weight was all about diet
and exercise. Firstly, I cleaned out my fridge of all my favorite unhealthy foods, and began cooking
homemade meals. I also drank at least 2 liters of water a day instead of soft drink. Secondly, I registered for a
gym class and started to work out at least three times a week. And as well as this, I started going to bed
early at night and waking up at 5 am to go biking every morning.
After 6 months of working out regularly and resisting junk food, my weight dropped to 50 kilos. However, it
was not only about the weight loss, but also about the changes in my health. I felt stronger and happier
than ever before. I rarely got sick and my skin also looked brighter. More importantly, I regained my self-
confidence. I used to run and hide from cameras, but now I am much more comfortable being
photographed. And the best thing is that I am now able to finally wear my old dresses and skinny jeans.
1. Tranformation: S bin i
2. Subsist on: Sng da v{o
3. Put on weight: tng c}n
4. Homemade meals: Ba n nu ti nh{
5. Regain self-confidence: ly li s t tin
19 Describe a change in your life | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

18. Describe a time when you worked in a team
Describe a time when you worked in a team
You should say:
what the activity was
who you worked with you
how easy or difficult it was
And explain how you felt about being part of this team.
Sample
Id like to talk about a team project that I was involved in during my British and American culture class at
the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi. There were six of us on the team, and our task was to identify the
differences in the travelling habits of British and American tourists. Our objective was to produce a report
and give a presentation.
So the first thing we did was split into two groups of three. We had to conduct a survey, so three of us
spent some time designing a questionnaire while the other three prepared an outline for the report. One of
the difficulties we encountered was finding enough people for the survey because we needed 50 British
and 50 Americans. But thanks to Facebook, we were able to reach enough people from those countries
who were willing to help us out and fill in the online survey. In the end, I think it was a successful project
because we were able to figure out the main travelling patterns of people from the US and the UK. Our
group presentation also went really well.
It was really a memorable experience for all of us and I felt a real sense of accomplishment when we
handed in our report and delivered our presentation. But what I was most proud of was how well our team
worked together. There were still some minor tiffs between some of the team members, but overall I think
each member showed a good level of responsibility and teamwork.
1. Conduct a survey: T chc mt cuc kho s|t
2. Designing a questionaire: Thit k mt b{i kho s|t
3. Figure out: tm ra
4. A memorable experience: mt k nim |ng nh
5. Deliver a presentation: C 1 b{i thuyt trnh
6. A good level of responsibility and teamwork: tinh thn ng i v{ tr|ch nhim cao
20 Describe a time when you worked in a team | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

19. Describe a piece of good news you heard
Describe a piece of good news you heard
You should say:
what this news was

when and where you heard it
how you heard it
And explain why you think it was good news
Sample
Im going to talk about the time when I received the official notification of my scholarship to join an
exchange program in Japan about three years ago. It feels like a long time ago but I can still remember the
day quite vividly.
At that time, I was a soph0more at university and one day I came across an advertisement for a two-month
cultural exchange program in Japan for students from Southeast Asia. I was really eager to apply for this
program and luckily my application was accepted and I was also nominated for a scholarship.
So about 2 months later, I received an email from the Scholarship Committee informing me that I had been
chosen to receive a full scholarship which would cover all kinds of fees and living expenses for me during
the program. I think my heart skipped a beat and I screamed out loud when I saw the word
Congratulations in that email. I was really proud of myself to be chosen from hundreds of candidates to
win this scholarship.
It was definitely the best news of the year. If I hadnt won the scholarship, my living expenses would have
been such a heavy financial burden for my parents, but thanks to the generous grants that I received, I
could really enjoy my time in Japan without worrying about the money. To this day I still keep this lucky
email in my inbox to remind me of that special occasion.
1. Vividely: mt c|ch sinh ng
2. Cultural exchange program: chng trnh trao i vn ha
3. To be nominated for something: c c cho c|i g
4. My heart skipped a beat: Cm thy rt phn khch
5. Financial burden: G|nh nng t{i chnh
21 Describe a piece of good news you heard | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

20. Describe a trip you took by bike
Describe a trip you took by bike
You should say:
When and where the trip was

Who you went with
Why you went by bike
And explain how you felt about it.
Sample
I would like to describe a really exciting tour that I went on last Saturday, which was a bicycle trip around
Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Sword Lake, which is one of the major scenic spots in Hanoi, the capital
city of Vietnam.
I went on this trip with three travelling companions, who were all close friends of mine, and we agreed on
riding our bicycles to the Ly Thai To statue at 5 am, which was our point of departure. Im actually quite an
early riser so I found it quite easy to get up that early and be there on time.
And luckily the weather that day was really nice. The air was fresh and the tranquility of the morning made
me feel relaxed but energetic. We biked around the lake five times until about 7am when the sun began to
rise and the streets started to get crowded. After that, we gathered at our favorite cafe to sip on cups of
strong coffee and to chitchat.
I really enjoyed that bike trip due to several reasons. Firstly, it was a great chance for me to see our city
from a very different perspective, a peaceful Hanoi without traffic jams and air pollution. I was able to
escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours and refresh myself to get prepared for a new
week.
I think that cycling is also a really great exercise that helps me to strengthen my health, build up my
stamina and improve the immune system. And last but not least, I think this trip was a really great
opportunity for me and my friends to get together and chat about our daily lives. You know, we are often
too busy to meet regularly, so times like these are really valuable.
1. Major scenic spots: nhng thng cnh ln

2. Travelling companions: nhng ngi i du lch cng nhau
3. An early riser: Ngi dy sm v{o bui s|ng
4. Sip on: nh}m nhi
5. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city: tho|t khi s bn rn ca th{nh ph
6. Strengthen my health, build up my stamina and improve the immune system: Ci thin sc khe,
s do dai v{ h min dch
22 Describe a trip you took by bike | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

21. Describe a decision that you disagreed with
Describe a decision that you disagreed with

You should say:
Who made this decision
What it was
How you told him/her

And explain why you disagreed with the decision
Sample
So today I am going to tell you about an important milestone in my life which was the first argument I had
with my parents. Firstly let me explain why I took this experience so seriously. Im usually a real mamas boy
who always obeys my parents, especially my mom who is definitely the stricter of the two. She is so bossy
and direct that it usually has to be her way or the highway. And also, my mother is awfully protective of me
and never allows me to have or join in any sleepover whatsoever. And that leads to the main part of my
story, which happened three weeks ago.
It was my best friends birthday party and he invited me to sleep over at his house. I was so thrilled. I mean
this was going to be my first sleepover. My excitement did not last long though as my mom immediately said
no when I brought it up. Filled with anger, I found myself raising my voice at my mother for the first time in
my life and said Mom, I am a 21-year-old man. I can take care of myself. She was so surprised at my
response and scolded me even harder. But I stood my ground. I believed it was about time I expressed my
feelings and let her know how I felt. I felt that I was old enough to be responsible for myself and my mom
needed to stop protecting me. Finally, she understood and let me go.
But I will never forget that day when I would go against my mothers decision and also the fact that I got
super wasted that night and was grounded for the next two months.
1. Milestone: Ct mc
2. Mamas boy: Con cng
3. Her way or the highway: L{m theo c|ch hoc khng l{m ( ch nhng ngi mun ngi kh|c
phi theo mnh)
4. Sleepover: Ng qua m nh{ kh|c
5. Raise ones voice: Ni ln ting ni ca mnh
6. Stand my ground: Khng khng khng nhng b
7. Wasted: Say kht
23 Describe a decision that you disagreed with | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

22. Describe an enjoyable experience you had in the countryside
Describe an enjoyable experience you had in the countryside.

You should say:
When and where you went
Who you went with
What you did there

And explain why you think it was enjoyable.
Sample
I would like to talk about last summer when I had an unforgettable opportunity to visit my hometown, which
is a small village located in the north of Vietnam.
My entire family, including my parents, myself and my younger sister, decided to spend the day driving to the
village. For my parents, this would be the chance for them to see their relatives who they hadnt seen in a
long time. And for me and my sister, we hoped to get a closer insight into the life of the locals as well as
strengthen our family bonds.
So, the four of us hit the road really early in the morning, at about 5 a.m. And after about 4 hours of driving,
we arrived at a peaceful and tranquil village. To my astonishment the scenery was completely different from
the neighborhood where I currently live. We admired the breathtaking landscapes of green paddy fields,
winding paths and small houses standing next to each other. After that we went to visit our relatives who
were really friendly and warm-hearted people and greeted us with great enthusiasm. The whole morning
was spent talking and chatting about our lives and old memories. At noon, our family was treated to a
gourmet meal, full of local and organically grown ingredients. In the afternoon, one of our relatives took us
to see the paddy fields and the villages famous lake. My sister and I got to learn how to fish and feed the
chickens, which was a novel experience since we had never done this before.
All of us were over the moon the whole day, which really was a once in a life time experience and would be
embedded in our memory for a long time.
1. Hit the road: Ln ng

2. Breathtaking landscapes: Phong cnh p tuyt vi
3. A gourmet meal: Ba n ngon v{ t tin
4. Over the moon: Rt hnh phc
24 Describe an enjoyable experience you had in the countryside | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
23. Describe a type of weather you like
Describe a type of weather you like
You should say:

what kind of weather it is
when this weather usually occurs
what you usually do during this weather
And explain why you like this type of weather

Sample
I was born in Hanoi and have been living here for pretty much my whole life. Hanoi is known for all kinds of
things, from street food to crazy rush hour traffic. And the city is also unique when it comes to how fickle the
weather is. In the summer, the mornings can be so scorching hot that you wont want to leave your house or
office, and then all of a sudden itll be raining cats and dogs in the afternoon. Perhaps for someone who has
spent more than 20 years living here, I somehow know the best time of year to go out and enjoy a picnic or
go on a bicycle tour with your friends: and thats late autumn.
The weather during the last two weeks of October is just ideal for all kinds of activities. I mean, who doesnt
love looking at a pure blue sky? Or who doesnt love having a change of scenery after a torturously hot
Summer, instead, having a good time with your family in a gentle breeze? And people always say that during
this time of year, Hanoi is the most beautiful.
This is also when I like to spend some quality time with my mom and dad and other people around me. We
usually invite some neighbors around and have a barbecue out in the open. My dad has a very old cassette
player, that he seems to be very proud of, maybe because no one in the neighbourhood has this kind of thing
anymore, and he always brings it out during the barbecue and listens to some sport news with his friends
while enjoying some beers. Other people turn on some music and sing along. Its just like a feast of a small
Viking clan, and it is so fun to be a part of.
Living in a city where the weather can be so harsh and pretty much unpredictable all year round, I think
having 2 weeks or so of perfect weather where I can have a truly joyous occasion with my family and
neighbours isnt so bad.
1. Fickle: Thay i lin tc

2. Scorching hot: Nng nh la
3. Rain cats and dogs: Ma rt to
4. A change of scenery: Thay i cnh quan
25 Describe a type of weather you like | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

5. Unpredictable: Khng th d o|n c
26 Describe a type of weather you like | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

24. Describe an interesting talk or speech you heard
Describe an interesting talk or speech you heard
You should say:
Who gave the talk/speech
Where and when you heard it
What it was about
And explain why it was interesting
Sample
Today I am going to talk to you about a speech that I came across two months ago on TV called the power
of vulnerability.
The speech was delivered by Brene Brown who is an American scholar, an author and a public speaker. She
has been involved in research on a range of topics, including vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy.
I accidentally heard her speech when I was watching TV at home after a hard day at work. Her TED talk
touched my spirit, evoked my sympathy and taught me many lessons. Firstly, I learnt that I cannot ignore all
the negative feelings I have. If I try to avoid them, I wont be able to feel happy, grateful and joyful.
Therefore, I need to have the courage to face and solve all the problems I have in order to live happily.
Secondly, thanks to this talk, I was able to understand how powerful it is to show other people my
vulnerability, and that I should dare to take risks and do the things that I am not so sure about. For example,
I should be the one who says I love you first, even if I know I might be rejected.
Finally, I learnt how to love myself from the bottom of my heart and was able to give up irresponsible
behavior such as skipping meals or getting wasted whenever I was sad. And in addition to this, once Im able
to love myself, I wont hurt other people who truly love me.
1. Come across: Gp/nghe
2. Scholar: Hc gi
3. Evoke my sympathy: Gi ln s thng cm
4. Have the courage to face: Dng cm i mt vi c|i g
5. Take risk: Liu
6. From the bottom of my heart: T tn |y lng
27 Describe an interesting talk or speech you heard | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

25. Describe an experience when you spent time with a child
Part 2: Describe an experience when you spent time with a child.
You should say:
When you spent time with this child
Who this child was
What you did together

And how you felt about the experience.
Sample
So, Id like to tell you about an experience when I spent time with a kid. It was when I was about 15 years
old and I had to look after my brothers 2 year old son, who is my nephew. It was on a weekend one time
when I was visiting my brother and his wife and their son. My brothers wife was at work that day and he
had to go out to the shops to pick-up some groceries to cook for dinner, but instead of all of us go
together, he decided that it would be much more convenient if he went alone and I stayed at home to look
after my nephew while he was gone. At first I was a bit shocked that he came up with this idea because I
had never looked after a small child on my own before and I was a bit nervous and didnt know what to do
or what to expect, especially if something went wrong. But my brother reassured me that he would only be
gone for about 30 minutes or so and that everything would be fine, and if I needed to contact him in an
emergency then I should just call him on his mobile phone. So I reluctantly agreed.
Anyway, so my brother went off to the supermarket and I stayed at home with my nephew. At first I think I
just put on one of his favorite cartoons on the TV to try and keep him occupied for a while, but this only
worked for so long. After around 15 minutes, he got bored of that and wanted to do something else, so I
then went and got all of his toys from his bedroom and brought them out into the lounge room and tipped
them on the floor. We then made a big mess playing with his toys for about 10 mins before he quickly
became bored again. So then after that I went to the kitchen and found some of his favorite snacks and we
sat back down to watch cartoons again on the television and eat the snacks. After about 5 minutes though,
thankfully he fell asleep until my brother arrived home. So, all in all, it was a fine experience I guess. I was
quite relieved that nothing bad happened and I realized that it wasnt that difficult to look after small kids.
1. At work: i l{m
2. Contact him in an emergency: Lin lc khi c trng hp khn
cp
3. Call him on his mobile phone: Gi v{o in thoi di ng
4. Reluctantly: Gng p
5. Relieved: Nh nhm
28 Describe an experience when you spent time with a child | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
26. Describe a piece of artwork that you have seen before
Describe a piece of artwork that you have seen before.
You should say:
Where you saw it
What it was about
When you saw it

And explain how you felt about it
Sample
Today I would like to tell you about one of the most well-known paintings in the world, which is also my
personal favorite, the portrait of Mona Lisa.
You know, the painting was created by Leonardo da Vinci, the famous Italian artist from the 15th century.
When I first saw this painting in one of my high school textbooks, I just couldnt take my eyes off it due to
some mysterious attractiveness.
At first sight, all I noticed in the painting was a long-haired woman with a friendly smile on her face, which
was quite round, and she had no eyebrows either. The more I looked at it the more I felt like she was actually
smiling at me.
Some people have claimed that Mona Lisa was simply an imaginary character while others have believed
that she was actually Leonardos wife. Honestly, it doesnt really matter to me though because I think that
the Mona Lisa is a masterpiece that attracts people with that magical smile. This is also one of the main
reasons why I am a fan of the painting.
In terms of the actual truths behind this portrait, I guess we may never know, but I think that secrets make
everything all the more intriguing.
1. Portrait: Ch}n dung
2. Take ones eyes off something: Ri mt khi c|i g
3. Mysterious attractiveness: S thu ht b n
4. An imaginary character: Mt nh}n vt tng tng
5. A masterpiece: Mt tuyt t|c
29 Describe a piece of artwork that you have seen before | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
27. Describe a useful website that you often visit
Describe a useful website that you often visit.

You should say:
What the contents of this website are;
How you first found this website;
How often you visit this website;

And explain how this website helps you.
Sample
So, if there is anything that I miss about America, it would definitely be Netflix. I am really into TV series, you
know, especially the DC comic series like the Flash, Green Arrow and Super-girl. Netflix is the worlds leading
internet television network but its still unauthorized in Vietnam, so I found my first few months at home
really quite unbearable.
Fortunately though, Minh, my good friend and savior, saved me from this dilemma by introducing me to an
unbelievable website called newmovie.vn. So basically, the websites owners, who apparently are also real
movie buffs, manage to get the hottest new shows from around the world and upload them on a daily basis
for Vietnamese viewers for, if you can believe it, absolutely no charge whatsoever. Newmovie.vn possesses
unlimited access to not only my favorite tv series but also many other shows on my movies-to-watch list
including things like Game of Thrones and Sherlock Homes. Since this discovery, Ive become addicted to the
website and am a daily visitor.
In conclusion, newmovie.vn is a real lifesaver and honestly, I dont think I could put up with all the stress and
assignments in my life without my daily movie dosage from newmovie.com.
1. Unbearable: khng th chu c
2. Savior: Cu tinh
3. A movie buff: Ngi nghin phim
4. On a daily basis: H{ng ng{y
5. Movies-to-watch list: Danh s|ch phim cn xem
6. A daily visitor: |m ch ng{y n{o cng xem chng trnh n{y
7. Daily movie dosage: Lng phim xem h{ng ng{y
30 Describe a useful website that you often visit | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
28. Describe one of your best friends
Describe one of your best friends
You should say:
What this person looks like
When and where you met this person
What you do when you are together
And explain why he/she is one of your best friends
Sample
Well, the person Id like to talk to you about is a very good friend of mine, Mai. She must be one of the nicest
and most down-to-earth individuals I know.
If I were to describe how she looks I would say Mai is a very gorgeous and charming girl who always attracts
a lot of attention from men. She is much taller than me so its kinda embarrassing standing next to her to be
honest. Mai also has straight brown hair and deep, dark brown eyes. Like most teenagers, she pays a lot of
attention to her appearance and likes dressing in the latest and most snazzy fashion. I dont think Ive ever
seen her in a plain old T- shirt or jeans.
Anyway, weve basically known each other since forever because we were in the same class from high school
through to college. You know, the first time I met her, she left a deep impression on me because on the first
day at school, I got lost while trying to find my classroom and she was my savior. Coincidently, we were
arranged by the teacher to become desk-mates.
And with regards to why she became my bestie, well, I guess the main reason is that we really hit it off right
from the start, and we also see eye to eye on a lot of things such as fashion, sport and even video games.
She is my closest friend so I feel like we can share everything together, from schoolwork to our love lives.
The thing I admire most about Mai is that she is really protective and likes to look after people.
As a normal human being, however, Mai also has her shortcomings. Shes never on time, and is sometimes
quite absent-minded and inconsiderate and that makes people think she never takes things seriously. But I
dont think this is true. She has a strong sense of responsibility and I know that I can always rely on her. For
me, friendship is the most important thing in the world and I am proud to say that I have such a loyal and
helpful friend shes really one in a million.
1. Down-to-earth: Thn thin
2. Snazzy fashion: thi trang thu ht
31 Describe one of your best friends | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

3. Hit it off: D lm thn
4. See eye to eye: ng quan im
29. Describe a street you know well
Describe a street you know well
You should say:
Where it is
What the main buildings are
How often you go there

And explain how you feel about this street
Sample
Well, there are quite a few streets that I could have chosen to talk about, but Id have to say the one I most
enjoy going to is Ly Thai To Street, which is one of the most popular tourist areas in Hanoi.
Regarding the location, the street is somewhere in the centre of the city, about fifteen to twenty minutes
drive from where I live. So I normally go there by scooter.
And as for how often I go there, well on average, I guess probably something like once or twice a month,
which I know is not a lot, but unfortunately, I just dont have enough time to go there as often as Id like to.
Anyway, most of the time I actually just go there for the street food, because there are loads of stalls which
do really good food, like barbecued squid, bacon sandwiches, chicken wings and stuff like that. So that's
basically what I mainly go there for. Theres also quite a few little shops selling various souvenirs and
handicrafts as well, but I dont spend much time in them because most of the things are pretty overpriced.
For example, a pack of postcards will probably set you back about 30,000 dong or so, whereas if you went to
any bookshop in the city, it would probably only cost about 10,000 dong.
But anyway, in terms of why I like this street, firstly, as I just mentioned, the food there is fantastic, and as
well as that, I also like that fact that it's pedestrianized, so there's a lot of space to walk around without
having to worry about getting hit by a car! And another thing worth mentioning is that most of the buildings
are pretty old, so it gives the street a really nice, traditional feeling.
1. Set you back: Tn mt khon ph n{o

2. Pedestrianized: L{m va h cho ngi i b
32 Describe a street you know well | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

30. Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal
Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal
You should say:

What animal it was
When and Where you saw it
And explain how you feel about this animal
Sample
Well, Im going to talk about an occasion on which I got to see a group of small monkeys.
As we all know, monkeys are one of the funniest animals in nature. They are full of curiosity, adventure and
mischief, and have great intelligence. They often live in the jungle, mostly in tropical rain forests, and jump
from tree to tree to seek out food and play. The diet of a monkey includes nuts, berries, fruits, anything that
smells good, and not to mention, bananas, which is always at the top of their list.
Anyway, back to the main point, the first time I saw a real monkey was a long time ago, when I was in
secondary school. My friends and I traveled to a mountain located somewhere on the outskirts of Hanoi, and
when we were climbing the mountain, suddenly a group of small monkeys appeared in the middle of the
road ahead in the distance. They were jumping up and down from trees before they approached us. Then the
monkeys stared at me and my friends as though they wanted to communicate and ask for food, so I decided
to give them some of our snacks. They were really cute creatures, you know, their hands are like a mini
versions of ours, which makes them look like little kids.
However, although Im quite into monkeys, I have to admit that they are unexpectedly sneaky. In some
tourist attractions around Vietnam, you can easily spot a troop of monkeys stealing food from street
vendors, and other unsuspecting tourists. Unfortunately, theres nothing we can do but watch them run off
into the jungle with our food as they are way faster and smarter than you may think.
Anyway, the trip was truly a once-in-a-life-time experience for me as I got to touch and feed wild monkeys.
Seeing them first hand also made me realize that they share more common features with humans than Id
previously thought, which really evoked my curiosity about the theory of how people evolved from apes
over millions of years.
1. Mischief: Nghch ngm

2. Sneaky: Ln lt
3. A troop of monkeys: By kh
4. Once in a life time: Mt ln trong i
33 Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
5. First hand: trc tip
34 Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
31. Describe a famous person that you are interested in
Describe a famous person that you are interested in
You should say:
who this person is
how you know about this person
what sort of life they had before they became famous
how this person became famous
And explain why you like this person
Sample
I am going to tell you about a well-known physicist whose biography recently really caught my attention. He
is a house-hold name around the world, Albert Einstein.
He is recognized as the father of modern physics and he was the founder of the Theory of Relativity, which
became an essential, if not the most important, contribution to modern science. He was also awarded the
Nobel Physics prize thanks to this discovery.
Besides knowing him due to his many achievements, I did come across and read a biography of him on the
internet which really intrigued me and contained a lot of information that made me admire him a lot. His
childhood was not as carefree as I initially thought and I was totally impressed by his perseverance and
dedication to science despite having communication problems at a very young age.
I love how Albert Einstein lived and worked with passion and enthusiasm all his life, which, I feel is a shining
example and a great inspiration for me to follow. Albert was hunted by the Nazis for most of his adult life,
yet he never abandoned his love for science and kept working even when he was running to protect himself.
So, in other words, he really inspired me to pursue my goals and dreams with all I that I have, despite any
difficulties that I come across along the way.
1. A house-hold name: Cai tn quen thuc
2. Biography: Tiu s
3. Carefree: V t
4. Communication problem: Vn v giao tip
35 Describe a famous person that you are interested in | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
32. Describe an interesting neighbor you know
Describe an interesting neighbor you know.
You should say:
Who this person is
How you know this person
What this person likes to do

And explain why you think this neighbor is interesting.
Sample
I must say, I am extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful neighbor, Duy, who is really friendly and
always willing to assist me whenever Im in trouble.
Duy and I live in the same building, and our apartments are next to each other. We came to know each other
when the electricity to the entire building was cut off one evening. Unfortunately, I had run out of candles
and the torch was nowhere to be found, so I had to go to the apartment next door for help, and this was
when I first met my neighbor. He was extremely helpful and enthusiastic and he asked me to hold his torch
while he lit the candles in his apartment. I was really grateful for his help and a few days later, I made some
snacks for him as a thank-you gift. Since then, we have become quite close friends.
The more I got to know Duy, the more I began to look up to him. Even though he is well into his fifties and
lives on his own, as he lost his family in a car accident, he still manages to see life through rose coloured
glasses. His motto in life is to keep moving forward. He works and studies at the same time, and on the
weekends, he travels to an orphanage to teach maths to the kids there.
He really is a wonderful neighbor and I know I could call on him if I ever needed to. We will always help each
other out when we can, and because we both live on our own, its really important to have a good friend
close by.
1. Cut off: Ct in/nc

2. Grateful for: Bit n
3. A thank-you gift: Qu{ cm n
4. See life through a rose coloued glasses: Nhn i vi lng knh m{u hng
36 Describe an interesting neighbor you know | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

33. Describe a family member that made you proud
Describe a family member that made you proud.

You should say:
Who the person is
How close you are
What he/she did that made you proud

And explain why they made you proud.
Sample
There is no one else in this world I hold more respect for than my mother. She is my guardian, my friend and
my role model.
My mother is well into her forties now, but she still manages to maintain a youthful appearance. In terms of
her personality, she is an extremely compassionate, kind-hearted and attentive person who always takes
care of her children. She is both a mother and a friend to me as she always gives me valuable advice and is
always willing to be there for me during all of the ups and downs in my life. Although sometimes she drives
me crazy, because shes such a perfectionist, I still hold a lot of pride and respect for her.
The reason that I am so proud of her is because she is such a strong-willed person. Ever since she was young,
she had to learn to be independent as my grandparents were constantly busy and always on the go. She had
to take care of almost everything, her younger brother, household chores and herself. Such challenges
shaped her into the strong woman that she is now. Her independence has also been strengthened through
all the hardship she has dealt with in her life. When she reached her thirties, she decided that she wanted to
run her own business, a clothing store. All the members in our family tried to prevent her from doing this
since we all thought it was a bad idea because she would have to face a lot of competition from other nearby
shops.
But through her determination and perseverance she has managed to make a success out of her business
and it really is something for us to look up to, and I keep reminding myself every day to try to be as strong as
my mother, a real-life wonder woman.
37 Describe a family member that made you proud | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
34. Describe two people from the same family
Describe two people from the same family
You should say:
Who they are

How you know them
If they look a-like
And if you like spending time with them.
Sample
Today, I am going to talk about the twin sisters that live next-door to my apartment.
The twins moved into the apartment about one year ago with their parents. We came to know each other
when the electricity in our building was cut off one evening and unfortunately, I had run out of candles and
my torch was nowhere to be found. So I had to go to the apartment next door to ask for some candles, and
this was when I first met them. They were extremely helpful and enthusiastic and they even let me stay at
their place until the power was back on. I was really grateful for their help and a few days later, I made some
snacks for them as a thank-you gift and invited them over to my place for a sleep-over. Since then, we have
become really close friends.
Even though they are twins, they look nothing alike. The older one has a short, bob haircut and a real
mischievous grin. A true social butterfly, I would say. Meanwhile, her younger sister always ties her long
straight hair into a ponytail with a ribbon and always has a very sheepish look on her face and is a bit more
shy and reserved. Despite the different vibes that each one has, they both are very mentally and physically
attractive in their own unique ways.
Ever since the twins came into my life, sleepovers and movie marathons have become a regular activity
every weekend, and the talk never gets boring because each of them has such a different personality. I hope
my friendship with them lasts a lifetime.
1. Mischievous grin: Ci u
2. A social butterfly: Ngi vui v
3. A sheepish look: Gi nai
4. Come into ones life: Xut hin trong cuc i ai
5. Movie marathons: Dp m{ ai xem nhiu phim lin tc
38 Describe two people from the same family | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
35. Describe an important plant in your country
Describe an important plant in your country

You should say:
What the plant is
How you know it
Why it is important
And explain how much you like the plant.
Sample
Well Id love to talk about rice, the most important agricultural plant in my country.
Ever since I was in my early elementary years, the rice plant has appeared in almost every subject, from
literature to natural science to geography. And even in real life, the rice plant can be spotted all across the
countryside around Vietnam.
It never ceases to amaze me how such a simple plant could support a whole nations economy. Up to this
day, millions of Vietnamese families are still dependent on the cultivation of rice to make ends meet. And the
fact that Vietnam has become one of the worlds leading rice exporters is more solid proof of the relevance
of this plant in my country. Besides this, rice has been an indispensable part of the main meal of most
families for centuries and children practice the habit of eating rice from a very young age, and as for the
older generation, they cannot go a day without rice in some form or the other.
Over thousands of years, the rice plant has played a really important role in Vietnamese culture and many
traditions and ceremonies originate from the farmers hopes for an abundant crop, and many of these
traditions are considered as important established customs to foreign visitors.
I think that the rice plant has become one of the greatest symbols for the Vietnamese spirit and deserves
large appreciation from all generations.
1. Never cease to amaze me: Khng ngng l{m ti ngc nhin
2. Make ends meet: Trang tri cuc sng
3. Go a day without something: Sng mt ng{y m{ thiu c|i g
4. An abundant crop: Ma m{ng bi thu
39 Describe an important plant in your country | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

36. Describe a foreign food you would like to try
Describe a foreign food you would like to try.

You should say:
What it is
Where you can eat it
How you know about this food

And explain why you would like to try it
Sample
Today I would like to tell you about crepes, one of the most popular French street foods that I have been
longing to try.
I first became interested in this food after learning about it through a TV program that I watched about a
year ago on different cultures around the world. The show gave a really detailed description of how to
prepare this dish, what ingredients are required, the different stuffings that can used to make different types
of crepes, and why this food is so closely related to French culture. I was watching with utmost interest and
attention and immediately jumped onto my computer to do some more research about it after the show
ended.
Its said that, walking around Paris you can locate street stands selling crepes everywhere and that this dish
is a really tasty afternoon snack to indulge in before dinner without ruining your appetite. And even though it
is not that hard to find a crepe shop in Hanoi, I believe the taste cannot be compared to the authentic recipe
that only street stands or restaurants in France are capable of delivering.
Since watching this program, the idea of walking down the street in Paris while enjoying a delicious crepe
has been on the top of my wish list ever since, and Ive been saving up money recently hoping that I get to
fulfill this dream sometime soon.
1. Have been longing to try something: Mong mi c th c|i g

2. Street stands: Qu|n n tin li trn ng
3. Wish list: Danh s|ch nhng iu mun l{m
4. Fulfill this dream: Ho{n th{nh c m n{y
40 Describe a foreign food you would like to try | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
37. Describe a crowded place
Describe a crowded place

You should say:
Where it was
When you went there
What you did there

And explain how you felt about the crowded place.
Sample
I would like to talk about my recent trip to Ba Den pagoda, which was an experience that I always remember
due to the massive number of visitors that I encountered while I was there.
So usually, during the Tet holiday, my family often drives to Tay Ninh province to visit my grandfather and
last year we decided to take a short trip to Ba Den pagoda on Ba Den Mountain.
Before getting on the cable car to go up to the pagoda, I thought that maybe there might be a lot of
Buddhist worshippers up there, as this sacred place tends to attract countless visitors all year round, let
alone during Tet, which is the biggest holiday in Vietnam. And, I was right. There was people with flowers
and candles everywhere. On one corner, lines of people were trying to light their incense sticks, and inside
the pagoda many people were kneeling and praying with their eyes closed. It was pretty hard for us to even
find any room to stand.
But, in the end, we successfully managed to find a way through the crowd and got close to the worshipping
place, however my grandfather stayed outside as he cant stand all the smoke and lack of oxygen.
You know, although I understand that most Vietnamese people enjoy going to pagodas and temples during
these special days of the year to wish for good luck, and well-being and happiness, I really dont think Ill be
doing that again anytime soon.
1. Sacred: Thing ling

2. Let alone: cha ni n c|i g
3. Incense sticks: Hng
4. Kneel: Qu
5. Worshipping place: Ni th cng
41 Describe a crowded place | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

38. Describe a popular place
Describe a popular place
You should say:
Where is this place?

When did you first visit this place?
How often do you go to this place?
And explain why it is so popular.
Sample
So, today I am going to talk about an outstanding swimming pool called, the Four Seasons, which attracts
around a thousand people a day and many consider this to be the most popular pool in the city.
Four Seasons is an indoor public pool located in my local sports complex. The reason why the pool is called
Four Seasons is because its a heated pool and people can go there to enjoy the warm water all year round.
As you may know, swimming is now becoming quite a popular exercise and recreational activity for people
of all ages in Hanoi, and I also took swimming lessons through my time at school. However, it was not until
about a year ago that I started to pay regular visits to this pool, and all thanks to my best friend for
introducing me to this wonderful place.
So, I think that Four Seasons is such a popular place for several reasons. Firstly, safety is their highest priority,
and theres always a well-trained lifeguard there to instruct the pool safety rules and perform any water
rescues if necessary. Secondly, the quality of the facilities is excellent. The pool is nicely heated and regularly
sanitized. There are also clean changing rooms with showers and big lockers for all your clothes and other
belongings, and I think that all of this creates the best experience for the people that go there to swim. I
believe that the Four Seasons swimming pool totally deserves its great reputation.
1. Sports complex: Tp hp nhng c s th thao
2. Recreational activity: Hot ng gii tr
3. Perform any water rescue: Cu ngi
4. Sanitized: Kh trng
42 Describe a popular place | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

39. Describe a newly-opened shop
Describe a newly-opened shop
You should say:
Where the shop is

When it opened
What it sells and how you feel about the shop.
Sample
I am going to talk about a newly-opened convenience store in my neighborhood called Circle K. Actually,
Circle K is an extremely popular chain-store from America and has multiple outlets around Hanoi now.
But the Circle K that Im speaking about was recently built only a couple of blocks away from where I live and
I noticed it as soon as it was built. Also, because of its eye-catching logo with a giant, red letter K in a white
circle, its quite hard to miss.
I think that the main reason that I became a regular customer of Circle K was because of one particular item
that they sell in their stores, and I was on cloud nine when I discovered it, my favorite alcoholic drink, Vodka
Cruiser. You know Cruisers only contain 4.5% alcohol which is perfect for a lightweight like me. And so, after
my discovery, Circle K pretty much became a regular hangout spot of mine where my buddies and I would
sometimes meet up and sit outside the store with a couple of Cruisers chatting about our lives and stuff. Its
actually kind of embarrassing but Circle K is the place where I come to let off some steam after a break up or
some other big drama I have in my life.
So yeah, as long as Circle K still keeps on selling Vodka Cruisers, it will always be my favorite shop.
1. Convenience store: Ca h{ng tin li
2. Chain-store: Chui ca h{ng
3. Eye-catching: Bt mt
4. On cloud nine: Rt vui sng
5. A lightweight: Ngi nh c}n
6. Hangout spot: Ni t hp
7. Let off some steam: Gii tr
43 Describe a newly-opened shop | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

40. Describe a place you want to work
Describe a place where you want to work
You should say:
where it is
what kind of work you would like to do
when you would like to work there
And explain why you want to work in this place.
Sample
Well, the place that I have always wanted to work but have yet had the chance to visit is Tokyo, the capital of
city of Japan.
I have been dreaming to work in this city ever since I learned about it from a travel and lifestyle channel. And
even though it is considered as a major cosmopolitan city, Im always amazed at its ability to preserve the
cultural aspect of Japan. The existence of such marvelous temples in the centre of the city, or the sight of
Japanese women wearing kimonos just seems quite amazing to me. Apart from this, the city where I live,
Hanoi, is currently suffering from a serious air pollution problem, so it would be a nice break to be able to
find a job in one of the cleaner countries in the world.
Recently, there has been many agencies and organizations that help to assist undergraduates or newly-
graduated students to find employment in Japan, and so if everything goes according to plan, in about 6
months I will start working as a Marketing intern for an English centre located in Ginza, which is one of the
busiest streets in Tokyo. Fingers crossed that everything goes according to plan and I am able to enter a
completely new phase in my life.
1. A major cosmopolitan city: Th{nh ph a vn ha
2. Everything goes according to plan: Mi th u din ra nh k hoch
3. Enter a completely new phase in my life: Bc v{o giai on mi ca cuc i
44 Describe a place you want to work | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

41. Describe a time you arrived early
Describe a time that you arrived early

You should say:
When it was;
How early you arrived;
Why you arrived early;
Sample
So last week I actually had to show up early for my friends wedding party. And as her bestie, I think its my
responsibility to help her have the best wedding ever, so on her wedding day, I decided to show up early and
help her with all the preparations. I think it was about 5am when I arrived at the front door of her house.
Actually, Im quite the night owl, so it was a little difficult for me to get up that early but once I saw the big
smile on her face I was completely awake and got to work right away. So, the list of things-to-do was quite
long, decorating the room with flowers, cleaning dishes, preparing the food, so I was really glad that I had
decided to come early. By about 9am, after everything was thoroughly done, the wedding ceremony began
in a very sincere and happy atmosphere.
Witnessing the bride and groom exchanging vows was quite emotional and I even shed a tear or two. I felt
very happy for her that shed finally found her Mr. Right. And after the wedding party, despite being
exhausted, I was also quite relieved and delighted because I think my help was one of the factors that really
made her day so special.
1. Bestie: Bn th}n
2. Show up: Xut hin
3. The night owl: Ngi hay thc m
4. Exchange vows: Trao li th nguyn
5. Shed a tear: Khc
6. Mr. Right: Ngi y
45 Describe a time you arrived early | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

42. Describe an interesting event
Describe an interesting event

You should say
What the event was
How you knew about this event
Why it was so interesting
And explain your feelings towards this event.
Sample
Well, the event that I want to share with you today is my best friends wedding, which took place 3 weeks
ago and left a deep impression on me. I received a phone call from her last month and she told me that she
was going to be tying the knot soon, and to be honest, I had been waiting for this to happen for quite a long
time since both the bride and groom are close friends of mine, and I know them quite well. And since they
are such close friends of mine, I knew that I would have to take part in this special occasion at all costs.
So there were several things that made her wedding such a wonderful day. Firstly, I was quite impressed by
the way the room was decorated with lots of lights, candles and roses, which really created a cozy and
romantic atmosphere. Secondly, the wedding was held in quite a modern way, which I found really great as I
had only previously been to more traditional kind of weddings before.
One of the moments that really surprised me though was when the groom got up and sang a song for the
bride and all the guests sang along with him. Many people even got up to dance. He also played a video clip
of himself that he had made where he expressed his love and appreciation for his bride, which was very
touching, and I think I even shed a tear.
And the last thing I really enjoyed about being involved in the wedding was that it gave me the chance to
meet many of my friends who I hadnt seen for a long time. We made use of this opportunity to take a lot of
photos with one another and the newly-weds, of course.
1. Tie the knot: Ci ai

2. The bride and groom: C d}u ch r
3. At all costs: Bng mi gi|
4. Touching: Cm ng
5. Make use of something: Tn dng c|i g
6. Newly-weds: cp i mi ci
46 Describe an interesting event | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

43. Describe a plan
Describe a plan
You should say:
What the plan is/was
When you thought of the plan
Who is involved in the plan
And say how you did/think you will achieve the plan
Sample
Well I just turned 18 this year, so apparently it is time for me to plan something special for the future. There
are many things that I could do, but one of the plans that I find the most intriguing is to go travelling to
Singapore.
I came up with this plan after I had finished my university entrance exam in June, and three of my best
friends have decided to come with me. So we kind of feel that after 12 years of hard work and constant
studying that taking a break is really essential. I think we all decided on Singapore because its such a modern
city with such a clean environment, and not to mention the fact that its so close to Vietnam, its just a short
flight.Technically were all just barely adults so it might take some time to persuade our parents to allow us
to go on this trip together though.
First of all, we decided that it is vital to choose a tour, because going on a tour will make our parents feel
more secure. It might be quite boring though due to the lack of spontaneous activities, but it seems like its
the best option to persuade our parents. Another thing to consider is the price of the tour. If its too
expensive, Im afraid our parents will not let us go either, so choosing an affordable tour is a must.
Apparently, we must book our plane tickets in advance too, not only to get the cheapest price but also so
that we are more well-prepared. When we reach Singapore, I think we will be polite tourists, listen carefully
to the tour guide and avoid doing anything illegal. So thats our great plan to achieve a much-needed
vacation.
1. Spontaneous: Theo hng

2. A must: iu phi l{m
47 Describe a plan | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

44. Describe a special trip in the near future
Describe a special trip in the near future
You should say:
When it will possibly be
Where you would go
What preparation you need for the trip
And explain why this would be a special trip

Sample
Traveling is what I enjoy the most in life and Ive now visited most of the famous places in Vietnam. However,
most of my trips were always with my friends, so now I really want to do something different and take my
parents on a very special trip to visit Thien Cam beach.
We will probably take this trip next June I think. At that time of year, there wont be any school for me so
things will be much easier to plan. My parents are also very excited about the trip and are really looking
forward to it.
Thien Cam is the largest beach in Vietnam and is quite a popular tourist destination, famous for its big waves.
It is located in the central part of the country, which is not really too far from where we currently live. When
we arrive, aside from enjoying the beach, we will probably visit some other tourist attractions around the
area, and I guess that during the trip we will probably get some souvenirs for our relatives as well.
In terms of the preparation, we are planning to go there by train so that we can enjoy the scenic beauty of
our country along the way. Of course well probably have to book a hotel in advance, and bring our
swimsuits, sunscreen and summer clothes. Another important thing to remember to bring is medicines, just
in case someone gets sick.
So, the main reason this will be a special trip I guess is because my parents will be with me and this will be
the first time they visit this place. Having my parents there with me will really make it special because it's
been more than 7 years since we took a holiday together.
1. Look forward to something: Mong ch iu g

2. A popular tourist destination: im n du lch ni ting
3. Scenic beauty: V p phong cnh
4. Book a hotel in advance: t trc phng kh|ch sn
48 Describe a special trip in the near future | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

49 Describe a special trip in the near future | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
45. Describe a kind of music or a song
Describe a kind of music or a song
You should say:
What kind of music it is
Where you usually listen to it
Why you like it
And say what kind of mood this music puts you in

Sample
I like to think of myself as a lover of music that is kind of sentimental and romantic. I love to listen to many
different music genres, but the one that I particularly enjoy the most is Ballads. It is the genre that consists
of slow tempo, sad vibes and heart-breaking lyrics.
I usually listen to these kinds of song on my computer or on my MP3 player with my headphones on, so you
can basically see me listening to Ballads pretty much all of the time, and just about anywhere. I am quite a
sensitive guy, so whenever I feel sad, I just turn on my MP3 player and let the melody express my feelings.
Ballads give me a sense of nostalgia, and make me remember about wonderful memories from the past
with special people. Every time a Ballad is played, I remember my childhood, the sweet memories and the
reckless moments I had with my friends, my ex-lovers and my family. This genre is the key that opens up the
door to my past. I love it with all of my heart.
This music puts me in a sad yet charming mood. I feel sad that the past days are gone and yet I wonder
about the future moments Ill have with special people. Furthermore, if I fall asleep while listening to a
Ballad, I can dream of those memories and feel slightly happy when I wake up. It really has everything that I
seek for when it comes to a music genre.
1. Sentimental: Gi{u tnh cm

2. Music genres: Dng nhc
3. A sense of nostalgia: Cm gi|c nh nhung
50 Describe a kind of music or a song | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

46. Describe a time when you were not allowed to use your cellphone
Describe a time when you were not allowed to use your cellphone
You should say:
Where you were
When it happened
What you were doing
And why you were not allowed to use your cellphone

Sample
Well, I think that mobile phones have now become the must-have item for everybody in daily life, so much
so that we somehow feel we cant live without them. I always remember the one time that I had to be apart
from my phone when I was sitting my high school graduation exam 2 years ago, and I have to say it was
quite uncomfortable.
So, my high school graduation exam is a mandatory examination that students have to take at the end of
grade 12 to get their diploma and their score is what determines their ability to enter university. Its one of
the most important events in a students life, I guess, because it not only pretty much shapes their future
but also helps to reassure their value in themselves.
And of course, cell phones are not allowed in the test, to ensure that no one gets an unfair advantage by
cheating. If your phone makes a noise, or if you are seen using it at any time, including during breaks, you
may be dismissed from the examination immediately, and your scores will be forfeited without exception.
I myself had a bad habit of always going on the internet on my phone to make sure I got the right answers
when doing the practice tests at home, so during the exam, I constantly had a burning desire to reach for
my phone but obviously it was just a thought and I didnt dare to do it. However the feelings of uncertainty
about my results were haunting me and made me really nervous, and it wasnt until I handed in my papers
and checked the answers when I got home, was I able to feel calm again.
From this experience, I realized that I do rely too much on my phone. And although its a great tool to assist
studying I do think we should learn how to be more confident in ourselves and our knowledge without
having to look at our phones all the time.
1. Shape their future: nh hnh tng lai ca h
2. Reassure their value: Khng nh li gi| tr
3. A burning desire: Khao kh|t ch|y bng
51 Describe a time when you were not allowed to use your cellphone | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
47. Describe a TV series you enjoy watching
Describe a TV series you enjoy watching
You should say:
What it is
What its about
When you first watched it
And explain why you like watching it

Sample
Well, I would like to talk about The Walking Dead, which is an American television drama series I have
recently become crazy about.
As you might know, The Walking Dead is the most popular TV show on air at the moment and everybody
across the globe is watching it. It portrays the world after a zombie apocalypse, where society has
crumbled and there is no government anymore to take care of the peoples welfare. I first watched this
series about 3 years ago and I immediately fell in love with it, and since then Ive become really fond of
horror movies as well.
The show stars many talented and famous actors, which is one of the main reasons why I love this series.
Andrew Lincoln is the actor who plays the leading role of a police officer and I think he leaves the most
significant impression on the audience and me, mainly because of his outstanding acting skills and the
devotion he puts into every scene.
Interestingly enough, my favorite part about this show is the make-up of the various kinds of zombies, with
each and every one of them having to go through an elaborate makeup process to achieve the extremely
realistic looks they are able to get.
So as I was saying earlier, I really have had a great interest in the idea of a Zombie apocalypse ever since I
was a kid and I even dreamt of living in one once. But apart from that though, I think that this series has a
very stimulating plot and many unexpected twists which raise great suspense and excitement for viewers.
I just simply cannot get enough of this show and I cant wait for the opening of the next season.
52 Describe a TV series you enjoy watching | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

48. Describe an interesting advertisement
Describe an interesting advertisement
You should say:
Where you saw it
What its about
Why you think it was an interesting advertisement
Sample
So I'm going to talk about an advertisement for Blue Electronics, which is one of the biggest
electronic brands in Vietnam. I've seen its advertisements everywhere, on TV commercials and
even on social media networks like Facebook and Instagram.
The advertisement shows a video of people dressed as blue household appliances, smiling and
staring creepily at the screen and dancing spontaneously to a really annoying yet catchy tune.
I think the aim of this ad is to create a big impression on the audience and to make the products
seem more appealing to them. I also think they are trying to traumatize the audience so that
whenever they hear that tune, they will think of Blue Electronics.
I think the advert is interesting because the company is deliberately trying to influence and
attract peoples attention, and they do this by trying to present the household appliances as
something special, and kind of like a useful friend for everyone I guess.
I think older people will probably not enjoy these kinds of advertisements because older people
usually prefer more informative, serious kind of ads, whereas the younger generation seems to be
more crazy about this kind of advertisement, as I think they seem to be more open and able to
perceive more innovative and hilarious ideas.
1. Appealing: Thu ht
2. Traumatize: m nh
53 Describe an interesting advertisement | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

49. Describe someone you admire who is much older than you
Describe someone you admire who is much older than you

You should say:
who this person is
how long you have known him/ her
what qualities he/ she has
And say why you admire him/ her.
Sample
Well, the first person who came to my mind is my grandmother. She is almost in her 80s and she has always
been a major influence on me.
I guess I could say that Ive known my grandmother my whole life because she was actually there the day I
was born, and after the death of my grandfather she started to live in our house, so I was lucky enough to
grow up and pass my adolescent years with her love and affection.
Since my childhood, she has always cared and loved me with all of her heart, and she is a really kind and wise
woman which is why I always turn to her for advice. I think shes a compassionate person with a big heart,
and always tries to help others whenever she can, and I can recall many occasions when she took great risks
to help other people out.
Shes also a successful mother of four children, one of whom is my father. She has devoted her entire life for
the betterment of her kids, educating and guiding them to become good people. She possesses a very
charming personality and always pleases everyone around her. Even a stranger can feel the warmth of her
heart within only a short time.
I could really talk about her all day long because I love and admire her for many reasons. But I must say, the
most important reason is her unconditional love for me. She is a great mentor who always shows me the
positive side of things and guides me through my hardest times. Talking to her is a soothing experience and
the stories she tells are always informative and full of important lessons and morals. I think she has had a
great influence on my attitude in life and on my personality, and for all these reasons theres a strong bond
between us, and I admire her very much.
1. Turn to somebody for advice: Xin li khuyn t ai

2. A soothing experience: mt tri nghim m |i
3. Morals: o c
54 Describe someone you admire who is much older than you | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
50. Describe a person who has apologized to you
Describe a person who has apologized to you

You should say:
when it was
who the person was
why this person apologized
and explain how you felt about it.
Sample
Well I think that we all tend to make some mistakes in life now and then, sometimes intentionally, and
sometimes unintentionally, but we usually regret them afterwards. I always try to apologize for what I do
wrong, and of course, I expect the same from others.
So last month, my friend borrowed my car for the day and he knows very well that Im very possessive about
my car. I asked him to take good care of it as I know he is not a very good driver, and in fact, this is the
reason why his father doesnt buy him his own car.
But he promised me to drive it very cautiously and safely, however when he returned it in the evening he
sounded very low and he told me that someone hit the car from the rear when he was stuck in a traffic jam,
and that caused him to hit the car in front of him. He was feeling very guilty for not taking care of the car
and he apologized repeatedly for his negligence, and he assured me that he would get it repaired the first
thing the next morning.
I did feel sorry for him though, but at the same time very sad as my car was damaged, but somewhere in my
mind I knew that this was not his fault. Normally, I easily lose my temper but it was because of his sincere
apology that I couldnt stay mad at him for very long.
So the next day, he went with me to the mechanic and luckily the damage was not so bad or expensive to
fix. He apologized again and assured me that hed be more vigilant in the future. We are still good friends
and I feel that receiving an apology and forgiving someone is the best way to maintain and make
relationships stronger.
1. Feel guilty: cm thy ti li

2. Negligence: S l ~ng
3. Lose ones temper: Ni gin
55 Describe a person who has apologized to you | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

51. Describe a dinner you enjoyed with your friends
Describe a dinner you enjoyed with your friends.

You should say:
when and where you had the dinner
what you had
who you went with
and explain why you enjoyed the dinner.
Sample
I have had many meals and taken part in many celebrations and parties over the years but among these,
theres one particular time that I remember the most. A few months ago, I went to a barbeque party on the
rooftop of one of my friends homes. It was actually a farewell party for my best friend since she was going
to study abroad, and the meal and the party were both really fantastic.
We had been planning this party for a long time and so on the day, we gathered at my friends house and all
went shopping and prepared everything together. We had a lot of amazing food that night as my best friend
has a real talent for cooking. Thanks to her secret recipe, all the meat was marinated and seasoned perfectly
and the taste was simply delicious. Besides the main dishes, a lot of drinks and snacks were served too. I
myself enjoyed the dessert the most. It was a fluffy red velvet cake with a classic cream cheese frosting. We
bought that from a famous bakery in Hanoi and it was worth every penny.
So we ate the grilled meat, drank beer and chatted the whole evening. During the dinner, we talked about
our future, our funniest memories together and everybody had a real blast. Theres no doubt that it could be
quite a long time until we can all gather like that again, so that party is very memorable to me.
1. A farewell party: Tic chia tay

2. Have a talent for something/doing something: C t{i trong vic l{m g
3. Worth every penny: |ng ng tin
4. A real blast: Rt n tng
56 Describe a dinner you enjoyed with your friends | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
52. Describe a time when you had to work hard to achieve a goal
Describe a time when you had to work hard to achieve a goal

You should say:
what the goal was
when this happened
what you did to achieve this goal
and explain why the goal was important to you.
Sample
Im the type of person who never likes to rely on luck. I believe that everything can only be achieved through
hard work and determination, and my final year in high school was one of the times that I spared no effort
to achieve my goal.
At that point, I was still a senior student and like all the other students, passing the University entrance exam
to get into my dream University was my main goal. But for me, I felt that the pressure was even higher since
I had chosen Hanoi Medical University one of the top Universities in Vietnam. There are thousands of
students taking part in that exam every year so it is highly competitive.
In order to compete with the other candidates, every day I would spend hours in the library to read as many
books as possible and to learn as much as I could. And even after school, I usually stayed up late to review
everything I had learnt that day. It was a long process with a lot of hard work but I didnt feel tired at all
because becoming a doctor was one of my greatest desires. I was willing to put in a lot of hard work and
effort for that dream and to not let anything stop me from achieving it.
So in the end, all the hard work paid off, and I passed the entrance exam with outstanding results and
became a medical student. When I received the results, I was so happy that I burst into tears. All of my hard
work for the year had helped me achieve one of my big goals in life so far.
1. Rely on luck: Ph thuc v{o may mn

2. Spare no effort to do something: L{m vic rt chm ch t iu g
3. Hard work pays off: Chm ch s c n |p xng |ng
4. Burst into tears: Khc nc n
57 Describe a time when you had to work hard to achieve a goal | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
53. Describe a holiday or vacation you have been on
Describe a holiday or vacation you have been on

You should say:
when you had it
where you went
what you did
and explain how you felt about it
Sample
A few months ago, I went to the South of Vietnam for a vacation with my family. Its was to the lovely
coastal city of Nha Trang, which is also a very famous tourist destination. We decided to go there by plane
since it is nearly 1200 kilometers from Hanoi, and would take a long time by car or train.
I was so eager for the trip that I prepared everything such as my clothes, camera and other accessories a
week in advance. It took about an hour to fly there, and luckily, the flight took off on time. The trip began
with an incredible view from the airplane window and I can still remember being quite overwhelmed by the
beauty of my city from above and the amazing sunset.
The time we spent in Nha Trang was a blast. We got to try out so many new things such as skydiving, surfing,
and diving to see the coral reef. This place has one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam with deep blue
water and pearly-white sand. Also, the food there was so unique and delicious. I think the most memorable
moment of that trip though was definitely when we bought fresh ingredients from a local market and grilled
them by the beach. Sitting there by the fire on a breezy night with the delicious smell freshly barbequed fish
was an amazing experience.
The trip to Nha Trang really was the holiday of a lifetime. We had a lot of fun and got to see a lot of
spectacular scenery. We definitely enjoyed it and we will definitely go there again if we have a chance.
58 Describe a holiday or vacation you have been on | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

54. Describe a happy family event that you remember well
Describe a happy family event that you remember well

You should say:
what the event was
when and where it happened
What you saw or did
and explain why you remember this event so well.
Sample
Well, this is a very nice topic for me and I would love to talk about one of my most memorable childhood
events that I had with my family. The celebration was to welcome a new member to our family, the birth of
my nephew. My eldest sister gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy and he was the first grandchild
of my parents.
After seeing the newborn baby for the first time, my father declared that this was a really special occasion
and that we must celebrate to welcome the newest member into our family. So we all got to work straight
away organizing and planning for the party, my parents set out to invite all the guests and do the necessary
shopping while my grandmother and sister cooked a lot of delicious food.
I was so happy and excited that when the gorgeous baby arrived, I didnt leave his side. I wanted to be near
him and play with him all the time but he was still so small that he couldnt play with any of the toys I had
given him. But it didnt really matter because I could just stare at his cute face all day long anyway.
It really was a day full of happiness, amazement and celebration. The arrival of a beautiful baby into the
family had brought us all together. Many friends and relatives turned up for the occasion, and it was
definitely a very happy event for our whole family, close friends and relatives.
59 Describe a happy family event that you remember well | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
55. Describe a long journey you traveled by car
Describe a long journey you traveled by car

You should say:
what it was
who is involved
and explain why it was happy.
Sample
I would like to describe quite a long but exciting journey that I went on last week by car from my hometown,
Hue city, to the capital city, Hanoi.
I had three travelling companions in the car with me, who were three of my close friends and we had agreed
on gathering at my house at 5am, which was our point of departure. Actually, Im quite an early riser, so I
found it quite easy to get up that early and be ready on time. And luckily, the weather that day was really
nice, so we were able to leave the windows down for most of the trip. The fresh air and tranquillity of the
countryside made me feel really relaxed but energetic at the same time.
After driving all day, we arrived in Hanoi quite late, by around 6:30pm and continued to drive around the lake
a few times, until about 7pm, when the sun began to set and the streets became a little quieter. After that,
we stopped at our favorite cafe to sip on some coffee and reflect on our long day.
I really enjoyed that car trip because of several reasons. To begin with, it was a great chance for me to see
my country from a very different angle, a road trip with my mates. Usually I would take the train or a plane
to complete that journey. So this was a great way to see things, stopping whenever we liked, if we saw
something that interested us, for example. This car trip also helped me to refresh my mind by just hitting the
open road and leaving all my worries behind. It was also a really great opportunity for me and my friends to
enjoy each others company and exchange stories along the way from our daily lives. You know, we are
often too busy to meet regularly, so chances like this are really valuable.
60 Describe a long journey you traveled by car | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

56. Describe a short trip that was special to you
Describe a short trip that was special to you

You should say:
when it was
where you went
who you went with
and explain why it was special.
Sample
I would like to describe a short but rather exciting tour that I went on last Saturday, which was a bicycle trip
around Hoan Kiem Lake, which is also known as Sword Lake, and is one of the major scenic spots in Hanoi,
the capital city of Vietnam.
I went on this trip with three close friends of mine, and we agreed on riding our bicycles to the Ly Thai To
statue at 5am, which was to be our point of departure. Im actually quite the early riser so I found it pretty
easy to get up that early and be there on time.
And luckily the weather that day was really nice. The air was fresh and the tranquility of the morning made
me feel relaxed but also energetic. We biked around the lake about five times until around 7am when the
sun began to rise and the streets started to get crowded. After that, we gathered at our favorite cafe to sip
on some coffee chat about our lives.
I really enjoyed that short bike trip due to several reasons. Firstly, it was a great chance for me to see our
city from a very different perspective, a peaceful Hanoi without traffic jams and air pollution. I was able to
escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours and recharge myself to get prepared for a new
week.
I think that cycling is also a really great exercise that helps me to strengthen my health, build up stamina
and improve my immune system. And last but not least, I think this trip was a really great opportunity for
me and my friends to get together and chat about our daily lives. You know, we are often too busy to meet
regularly, so times like these are really valuable.
61 Describe a short trip that was special to you | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
57. Describe an environmental law
Describe an environment law

You should say:
what it is
how you first learned about it
who benefits from it
And explain how you feel about this law
Sample
I would like to talk about a policy which the government put in place a long time ago, and I believe that has
had a tremendously positive effect on the daily life of Vietnamese people.
I dont remember the exact official title of the regulation, but generally, it states that people must separate
their household waste into three groups: organic, inorganic and recyclable materials, each of which has
been assigned a different colored bin. To effectively make this rule work, the government has had to install
thousands of different coloured bins throughout the citys public areas.
In the past, waste disposal was such a daunting task for the local government to deal with because most
people had very little environmental awareness, and they often just mixed their trash into one giant mess,
dumping it into rivers, on the streets or in any public place they felt like. This became quite an alarming
situation in Vietnam for a number of years and had an extremely detrimental impact on the environment,
and not to mention the mess it was creating in many urban areas.
So, by introducing this new law and by effectively campaigning it, a clear shift has occurred in peoples daily
lives, as now there is an effective and practical solution to get rid of everyday waste, and peoples
awareness around this issue has now significantly increased over the years. Im really quite happy with how
this law has helped to solve the waste problem in my country, rather than only the ineffective talk about
the problem that was happening beforehand.
1. A daunting task: Cng vic ch|n nn

2. Environmental awareness: thc bo v mi trng
3. An alarming situation: Tnh hnh |ng b|o ng
4. Not to mention: cha nhc n iu g
5. Get rid of something: Loi b c|i g
62 Describe an environmental law | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

58. Describe a recent happy event
Describe a recent happy event

You should say:
what it was
who is involved
And explain why it was happy.
Sample
I would like to talk about a special wedding that I recently attended, which was my brothers wedding,
which is possibly one of the happiest events in my entire life.
It was only 2 months ago and I still remember that day rather clearly. My brother, who is my only sibling,
decided to get married in the summer of 2017. And since my brothers fiance is a Catholic, the wedding
was a combination of both catholic and traditional Vietnamese style. Because we were on the grooms
side, my family and I had to wake up early to follow my brother to his brides house. There my brother
would ask for permission from his future parents-in-law to allow him to take their daughter to her new
family. After getting the acceptance, both the bride and groom and all the guests headed to a fancy
restaurant, where the wedding ceremony was celebrated. I remembered how well the entire room was
decorated with sparkling light bulbs and purple ribbons, which was the brides favorite color. During the
whole ceremony, myself and other guests witnessed the bride and groom exchanging vows with each
other and this was indeed an unforgettable moment.
Also, this marriage was special for me in another sense, being that it was the first wedding I had had the
chance to be a part of, which really made the whole event a once-in-a-life-time experience. It was really
great to be able to see and feel the passionate love the couple had for each other, through the way they
looked at each other and the through the way they expressed their vows. And finally, the wedding was
carried out with a smooth and peaceful atmosphere and I think that all the guests really had a great time
attending this sacred occasion.
1. Fiance: V sp ci
2. Parents-in-law: B m v
63 Describe a recent happy event | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

59. Describe a long walk you had
Describe a long walk you had

You should say:
where you went to
when you went
who you went with
And explain how you felt about this walk.
Sample
I would like to talk about a long walk that I have taken recently. So this was a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake.
I do this walk quite regularly actually, usually in the late evening, and usually whenever I am feeling under
pressure at work or school.
That night, the fresh air and tranquil atmosphere around the lake made me feel relaxed but quite energetic
at the same time, and it helped me to refresh my mind to get ready for a new day to come. Theres also a
lot of police presence around the area which makes you feel quite safe, so you dont have to be concerned
about being pick-pocketed or something like that, you can really just concentrate your mind on other more
important things.
Surrounding the lake is a long spacious pavement, where people usually go jogging and walking, and after
taking a long walk I just sat there on a bench, taking in the peaceful atmosphere. Most of the time I was
just gazing at the stars, trying my best to let my mind unwind and meditate.
The reason I took this walk was because I had just had a huge fight with my best friend and he had started
questioning some things about my life, and it made me feel really awful. So following that, we had an
argument and all of a sudden I started questioning our relationship. Things just started feeling very bizarre,
so I went looking for something that would calm my mind.
1. Under pressure: B |p lc
2. Police presence: S xut hin ca cnh s|t
3. To be pick-pocketed: B mc ti
4. Meditate: Thin
5. Bizarre: K cc
64 Describe a long walk you had | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

60. Describe a situation when someone made noise
Describe a situation when someone made noise

You should say:
when it happened
who made the noise
where it was
Sample
So Im going to talk about the time when my neighbor made a lot of noise when he renovated his house a
few months ago. The noise of the drills, hammers and other power tools during the daytime was really
annoying.
I heard that a newcomer had bought the house next to mine and because of some problems with water
leakage; he had made up his mind to do some repairs and renovations to the house, and after that, the noise
of hammers, saws, and drills seemed to be endless around my house all day long, even on the weekends. My
neighbor wanted to live in his house as soon as possible so he would start the work early every morning, and
that made my family members and I wake up earlier than usual.
During this time I felt extremely exhausted and I really wanted to make a complaint so that my neighbor
would take some actions but his house renovations were legal so there was nothing I could do. Hearing the
noise all the time drove me crazy, and had quite a negative impact on my work.
Sometimes I was sleepless all night. But luckily, after about a month or so, my neighbor finished the
renovations and the terrible construction noises ceased. I felt really relieved!
65 Describe a situation when someone made noise | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

61. Describe a difficult choice that you made
Describe a difficult choice that you made.

You should say:
what the choice was
when this happened
what choice you made
And explain why the choice was a difficult one.
Sample
So Im going to talk about a situation when I found it really difficult to make up my mind. It was when I was a
child, about ten years ago, and my parents werent getting on well with each other, which made the
atmosphere at home really terrible. In the end, they got divorced, but I didnt know whom I should go to live
with, my mom or my dad.
That was a really difficult time in life for me because so many things changed, mostly in a negative way. I had a
difficult time to choose who to live with because I loved both of my parents and we had had many
unforgettable memories together. So to solve this matter, our family spent a long time discussing it and
deciding on the best option for me.
Finally, I chose to stay with my mom because she could take better care of me and she needed my support
after the divorce. Though my dad felt upset, he agreed with my choice, for my sake. You know, I believe that
was not only a tough choice for me but also for my parents as well.
I always want to live under the same roof as both my parents, so choosing just one person to live with was a
hard thing for me. Not being able to see my dad every day made me feel very sad, so that was one of the
toughest choices I have ever had to make.
66 Describe a difficult choice that you made | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

62. Describe what you would do if you were given a day off
Describe what you would do if you were given a day off

You should say:
what you would like to do
who you would like to be with
where you would like to do it
And explain how you would feel at the end of the day.
Sample
So Im going to share with you an activity that I would love to do if I had a day off; and that is to spend my
entire day participating in various outdoor activities, in order to relieve some stress and recharge my
batteries. I have been making some plans of a number of things that Id like to do when I get the chance, such
as hiking or cycling in a mountainous area, and paying a visit to some historical places.
So, if I had a day off, I would like to spend it with my best friend, Lan. She loves travelling and discovering new
places as well, and she knows basic first aid and how to survive if we were to ever get lost, so I think that she
would be the perfect partner to go with.
Ninh Binh province is my hometown so I would like to go there on my free day, and although I was born and
brought up there, I havent finished travelling through this massive mountainous province. Having numerous
tourist attractions, Ninh Binh would enable me and my friend to enjoy the fresh atmosphere, go hiking and
visit various places, for example, the Stone Church and Hoa Lu Palace.
Ive been suffering from quite a heavy workload in my job recently, so Im really in need of a day off that
would allow me some time to do my favorite activities, making me feel more excited and happier with my life.
1. Relieve some stress: Gim x cht

2. Recharge my battery: Np nng lng
3. Basic first aid: S cu c bn
4. To be in need of something: Cn c|i g
67 Describe what you would do if you were given a day off | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
63. Describe an ideal house
Describe an ideal house

You should say:
where it is
what it looks like
when you would like to live in
And explain why you would like to live in it
Sample
So Im going to talk about the perfect house that I would like to live in. I would like it to be spacious, comfy
and tranquil and it should therefore be located in a rural area with a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Painted white and pink, the house would somehow look like a little palace for a royal family. Natural light is a
must for this house, and it must contain an effective window system for good ventilation. The house would be
equipped with modern appliances and air-conditioning for comfort and convenience. Trees and flowers would
be planted around it for decoration and to make it look beautiful.
My ideal house, which would be full of natural light and surrounded by a lot of beautiful gardens, would be the
perfect place for me when I am in need of relaxation, and an escape from my heavy workload in the city. I
would be able to enjoy the fresh air, and living there would be the perfect way to relieve stress.
To be honest, having the chance to live in such a house would be a dream come true for me, feeling like a king
in his own castle, and I hope that one day I can actually build a house like this to live in.
1. Comfy: thoi m|i

2. Ventilation: thng tho|ng
68 Describe an ideal house | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

64. Describe a book you liked to read in your childhood
Describe a book you liked to read in your childhood

You should say:
who wrote this book
what it is about
when you read it
and explain why you liked it.
Sample
Well, Im going to share with you the book that I was really fond of reading when I was a little girl, which is
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. Its a fantasy novel written by the British author J. K. Rowling, and
she became really popular all over the world now thanks to this fantastic series of books.
The book illustrates the school life of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his two best friends Ron and
Hermione. Harry had a powerful enemy, the Dark Wizard, Lord Voldemort, who longed for immortality and to
rule the magic world.
I started reading this book when I was about 8 years old I think. At that time, I was only beginning to improve
my reading skills, and Harry Potter was quite a thick book so it took me ages to get through it.
As a little girl, I didnt understand all the details in the book but I truly admired the story of Harrys friendship
with Ron and Hermione. And I think it helped me to feel more confident to make friends with my classmates,
some of whom I still keep in touch with now. And I guess that is the main reason why I appreciate this book so
much.
69 Describe a book you liked to read in your childhood | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
65. Describe a success in your life
Describe a success in your life

You should say:
when it was
what it was
why you chose it
how you achieved it.

Sample
Well, the success that I would like to share with you today is about my contribution to a social activity that
occurred about 5 years back when I was just a freshman in college. I really feel proud of this achievement as I
believe I have done something really good for society.
At that time, the local authorities in my hometown had planned to destroy a public park and build a shopping
mall complex instead. I had taken notice of them cutting down the trees so I gathered my friends to protest,
though it was a very complicated situation.
The reason for me to do that was because that park was the only green space and recreational area for the
local people. They came there every day to exercise, and enjoy the fresh air in order to maintain and improve
their health. As well as this, its also home to a large number of wild birds and other animals, which I feel is a
very important thing to conserve.
I know that going against the authorities is a really hard thing to do but I felt that I needed to do it for the sake
of the community. We made some plans to contact the media and go to the local authorities to express our
view and opinion, and in the end, we succeeded and the construction of the shopping mall was cancelled, so I
feel like this really was a success in my life
1. A social activity: Hot ng x~ hi

2. A shopping mall complex: Khu trung t}m mua sm
3. Green space: Khng gian xanh
4. To be home to something: L{ nh{ cho c|i g/con g
70 Describe a success in your life | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

66. Describe a time when you were looking at the sky
Describe a time when you were looking at the sky
You should say:
When and where you looked at the sky

Who you looked at sky with
How you felt when looking at it
And explain why you looked at the sky
Sample
Looking at the sky seems like the sort of thing we might do every day without actually having any awareness
of doing it. But today I want to share with you the time when I had an opportunity to look up into the sky
from a city on the other side of the planet.
A couple of years ago I had a great opportunity to escape from the scorching hot summer in Hanoi to one of
the most stunning cities in Europe, London. Usually the weather in London is pretty much day after day of
overcast clouds and dreariness with high levels of rainfall throughout the year. However when I arrived in
London, I guess I must have caught a lucky break in the clouds as the city was lit up in sunlight.
But while I was travelling from the airport to my hotel in the west part of London with my mother, I opened
the car window to glance around and feel the wind on my skin and in my hair. By this point, the sun had
disappeared and the sky was overcast and grey with loads of thick clouds. There were many people on the
street walking in a hurry to avoid the rain, while others were too absorbed with their phones to even notice
the coming rain.
I was so excited and curious about this huge city that I decided not to let the rain ruin my first day, even
though I got soaking wet in the heavy downpour as I got out of the cab and moved my luggage. For the rest
of the day, I spent my time looking at the sky from my hotel rooms window while the rain kept pouring
down. I love London, without a doubt, but that kind of weather totally made me feel depressed.
1. Overcast clouds and dreariness: Bu tri u |m v{ bun t

2. Soaking wet: t nhm
3. Heavy downpour: Ma ln
71 Describe a time when you were looking at the sky | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
67. Describe an article you read about healthy life
Describe an article you read about healthy life
You should say:
where you read it from

when you read it
what the article was about
And explain what you thought about this article
Sample
Today I want to share with you one of my most favorite articles of all time named Ten ways to live longer,
which was published in the Guardian - a very famous British magazine, and is, in my opinion, a must-read
article about human health and wellbeing.
I believe that the more people become wiser, the more they will care about their health. The first surprising
thing I noticed about this article was about the country with the longest life expectancy, which was Japan,
for both men and women. The question is, how do they do it? Well, apparently Japanese people simply
have regular health check-ups and pay close attention to hygiene in every aspect of their lives. Avoiding a
sedentary lifestyle is one of the golden rules of good health, yet this is still a major problem in many
countries around the world. In other words, get your running shoes on and never just sit around all day.
Another major point I learnt was that you should get your blood pressure checked regularly because high
blood pressure is the number one factor that leads to early death and years of poor health.
According to the article, the ten things to do or avoid included some things like, not smoking, eating seeds-
not junk, drinking in moderation, staying out of hospital, and not getting stressed, which all seem quite
obvious but can certainly change your life if you follow these rules. You dont need to do strenuous or
vigorous exercise in order to have better health. Simply drink a little bit less each day, add a little bit more
vegetables to your diet and do something as simple as carrying your heavy shopping bags instead of using
the trolley to improve your muscle strength at least two days a week. Sounds easy, right?
1. Life expectancy: Tui th

2. Hygiene: V sinh
3. A sedentary lifestyle: Li sng t vn ng
4. Get your running shoes on: Vn ng
72 Describe an article you read about healthy life | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
68. Describe a new skill you would like to learn
Describe a new skill you would like to learn
You should say:
What it is
Who you want to learn it from
How you are going to learn it
And explain why you want to learn it
Sample
Today I would like to share with you about a skill I have always desired to learn, which is speaking
German.
A couple of years ago I had such a fantastic trip to Europe, and I was deeply impressed by the beauty,
uniqueness and modern style of the capital city, Berlin. I was wandering around all over the city in
many different shopping malls to find my dad his favorite black Nike coat. I was fortunate enough to
finally find it in the Kaufland shopping mall, however, when I flew back to Vietnam, I realized that I
had bought the female size. So it was after that incident that I decided to try my hand at learning
German.
The first reason that makes German such an attractive language to learn is that it is pretty much the
second most common language spoken in Europe, for example, in Denmark, Hungary, Poland,
Austria, and so on. And secondly, German bears a close resemblance to English, and shares pretty
much the same alphabet, so I think that might make it a little easier to learn. Additionally, if I learn
German, in the future I could certainly apply for a scholarship to study in Germanys great education
system.
I think learning a new language can also be really handy when travelling, can make you more decisive
and can bring you multitudes of cognitive advantages such as becoming smarter and avoiding
Alzheimers disease when you get older. And last but not least, I think life would be much more
exciting if you can speak multiple languages.
So, sometime in the near future, if I can handle my work and study load, Id love to give learning
German a go.
1. Try my hand at doing something: Th l{m g

2. Bear a close resemblence: C im ging
73 Describe a new skill you would like to learn | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM
69. Describe one activity stopped by the weather
Describe one activity stopped by the weather
You should say:
When and where it happened

Who was involved
What the activity was
And what you did after the activity was stopped
Sample
Anyone who is a big fan of tennis definitely knows the name of tennis legend Novak Djokovic. And today
Im going to tell you about the story of how I skipped school to watch the big game that didnt happen
between Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem at the 2017 Roland Garros.
You know, Ive been fascinated by the wonderful world of tennis since I first discovered the sport. My dad
and I would always just sit around like a pair of couch potatos whenever a big tennis competition was on.
Novak has long been my hero on the court while my father has always been a big fan of Roger Federer. I
always love watching a tennis match with my favourite player, whether he wins or loses, and I still love him
either way because thats just the way things go sometimes. I still admire his sportsmanship and talent
and the way he elegantly yet powerfully moves on the court.
On this particular day though of the quarterfinals Novak had to defeat Thiem to go through to the semi-
final and I was so excited to watch this game because Novak had previously lost the Roland Garros cup
before two years in a row. Unfortunately, I had an unavoidable mid-term test that day which meant it was
impossible for me to watch the game live. But after wrestling with my conscience, I decided to tell a lie to
my dad so that I could stay at home to watch the match. However, the weather in Paris that day turned
out to be so terrible that the game was cancelled.
I felt so guilty when I found out that the game was cancelled, and I got into big trouble by my dad for not
showing up to take the mid-term test at school.
1. Skip school: trn hc
2. Couch potato: Ngi li bing
3. Its just the way things go: Dng ni }y l{ iu hin nhin
4. Wrestle with ones conscience: u tranh t tng
74 Describe one activity stopped by the weather | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

70. Describe a person who gave a clever solution to a problem
Describe a person who gave a clever solution to a problem
You should say:
Who the person is

When and where it happened
What the problem was
And explain why it was a clever solution
Sample
To think outside of the box is always the term that comes to mind whenever a problem arises and not
everyone succeeds in coming up with a solution, but there is one person on this planet though who always
surprises me with his cleverness and ability to come up with a solution to even some of the toughest
problems. His name is Nam and hes my older brother.
My mother always told us that even though were brothers and we have a closeknit relationship, were
still as different as two people could possibly be. Im quite an active person and have a tendency to make
very quick decisions, while my brother is extremely calm and usually solves problems in a level-headed
kind of way, and thats the reason why he has been a kind of savior to me on a number of occasions.
There was a time that I consider as an important landmark in my life which was when I took the entrance
exam to university. And similar to my mother, I suffer from hypotension which is low blood pressure and
sometimes causes dizziness when Im hungry or tired. In certain circumstances, I just need the sugar from
a couple of candy bars to recover, but actually Im quite an absent-minded person so I usually forget to
carry any with me.
On that day, when the start of the examination was getting nearer, I was so nervous that I couldnt think
clearly and my hands had begun to shake. All of a sudden I found some tiny chocolate bars in my pocket,
and they absolutely saved my life! In the end, it turned out that my brother remembered to put some in
my pocket for me in order to avoid this situation. So thoughtful and so smart he was to do such a thing!
1. Think outside of the box: Ngh tho|ng hn
2. A close-knit relationship: Mi quan h khng kht
3. Level-headed: bnh tnh v{ thu |o
4. Hypotension: huyt |p thp
5. Absent-minded: hay qun
75 Describe a person who gave a clever solution to a problem | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

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IELTS SPEAKING SAMPLES

PART 2 TOPIC FORECAST

70 TOPICS ALL COVERED

Describe a couple you know who have a happy marriage

You should say:

Who they are

How you know them

What they usually do together

And how you feel about their marriage.

1. A nine to five job: Cng vic bnh thng

Describe a helpful person at work or school

You should say:

What this person did

How this person helped

1. To have a great influence on someone: C t|c ng ln n ai

4 Describe a helpful person at work or at school | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

Describe a new friend you`ve made recently

You should say:

Who the person is

1. Befriend someone: L{m bn vi ai

5 Describe a new friend youve made recently | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

Describe a polite person you met

You should say:

Who the person is

How you know the person

What the person looks like

1. Ones partner in crime: Bn rt th}n

6 Describe a polite person you met | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

Describe a family member who has had an important influence on you

You should say:

Who the person is;

What kind of person he or she is;

What this person has done to influence you;

1. Role modole: Hnh mu

Describe an invention that changed peoples lives

You should say:

When it was invented

1. A revlutionary creation: S ph|t minh mang tnh c|ch mng

8 Describe an invention that changed peoples lives | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

Describe your favorite piece of clothing

You should say:

Where you got it

When you got it

How often you wear it

1. A second-hand clothing store: Ca h{ng qun |o se cn hen

9 Describe your favorite piece of clothing | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

Describe a book that you would like to read again

You should say:

What the book was about

Why you read it the first place

What you learned from this book

And explain why you would like to read it again.

1. Fantasy novel: Tiu thuyt gi tng

Describe a city or town you have been to

You should say:

When you visited it

What you did there

1. A state-city: Th{nh ph quc gia

11 Describe a city or town you have been to | Hc Vin Anh Ng ZIM

Describe a place you visited

You should say:

where it was (or is)

when you visited it